1. On all appearances Beyond John Dann is the story of one man’s journey to peace and acceptance, but do you feel that there is a story (and or message or objective), beyond the life of John Dann himself? If so, what do you believe that message or objective is?
2. John, as well as the members of his family, suffer several quasi-tragic events leading up to (no spoilers) death, what tragedy did you relate most with, and with what character did you feel the most attached to during it?
3. The story is told entirely from John’s own personal perspective. What is perspective to you, and do you believe it is possible for two people to live the same exact life, with the same memories?
4. Continuing with perspective—Beyond John Dann has been said to be a fictionalized version of the authors own life. In fact, Banks himself calls his own personal experiences the foundation of the story. Yet, if memories and experiences are influenced by sole perspective, can we truly call anything Non-fiction?
5. If John was here with you now, what religion or belief do you think he would label himself with, and why?
6. In a world of constant religious turmoil, where atheist numbers continue to grow, how do you treat those who live with kindness, do their share to help others and promote peace, yet, much like John Dann, do it without God as part of their lives?
7. Banks has called the little girl character his own version of a Jungian dream. What do you think the little girl with the all-seeing eyes symbolizes? Was she real to you, and if so, was she *(sorry,can’t spoil it) all along? If not, who or what was she?
8. What emotions or feelings did the book leave you with?
9. Has the book influenced or affected the way you’ve looked at the world since reading it?