Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What did you find most compelling or confusing about the book’s discussion of human consciousness?

2. Compare and contrast book to others in the Robert Langdon series, such as The Da Vinci Code or Angels and Demons.

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Which character in the novel did you relate to most and why?

2. Have you ever been in a situation in which you, or an organization you were in, pursued unethical actions as a means to a perceived ethical end? What happened?

3. Have you ever had an out-of-body experience or experienced precognition? What was the experience like?

4. How much do you use social media or AI technology? Do you think it impacts your life in a positive or negative way?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel is based in the present day, with references to modern technology like ChatGPT and figures like Elon Musk. How do these modern references resonate with the book’s larger arguments about technology and power?

2. The novel explores the boundaries of American power in matters of national security. Are the Brown’s arguments about power and duty applicable to modern American politics?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Throughout the novel, Brown relies on flashbacks and memories to delivery important pieces of information, like Solomon’s bombshell research. What is the effect of this structure on the reading experience?

2. How did the character of Robert Langdon develop over the course of the novel? How does his characterization in this novel differ from previous novels?

3. Explore the significance of the novel’s setting of Prague. Could the novel be relocated to another major European city? Why or why not?

4. The novel ultimately suggests that Solomon is right to theorize a universal consciousness that humans have access to in certain moments. Do you believe this is true?

5. Print media appears throughout the novel as a recurring motif. What does the novel have to say about the importance of books and reading?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If this book were adapted into a movie or television series, who would you cast in the roles of Katherine Solomon and Sasha Vesna?

2. Imagine a sequel to this novel following Sasha Vesna after her arrival in the United States. How do you think she will be treated by the revived Threshold agents?

3. If you had the ability to project your consciousness to another part of the world, how would you use your powers?