Tatiana’s Comments (group member since Jan 25, 2016)

Tatiana’s comments from the Nordic Book Club group.

Thank you everyone who braved the weather tonight and came out to discuss the latest from Malin Persson Giolito.

This month's discussion questions come directly from the publisher, Other Press. Let's discuss!

1. On page 291 Sander asks, “Is that who Maja is?” Who is Maja? How would you describe her?

2. What do you think of the narrator’s—Maja’s—voice? Does it change over the course of the novel? Do you think Maja’s narration of her own story attracts you to her, or are you repelled by it? How would your reaction to or understanding of Maja change if Quicksand were not told in the first person?

3. On page 109 Maja says Sebastian “refused to let go, refused to give up, refused.” Describe what her relationship with Sebastian is like. Do you think Maja felt pressure to date Sebastian? Could she have refused to date him? On page 357 Maja says Sebastian “couldn’t live without me, it was a question of life and death.” Does their relationship change as Maja reveals more of her story, or does it remain essentially the same?

4. On page 403 Maja’s mother says “Maja loved Amanda.” Do you agree with her? Why or why not?

5. What are the differences between Sebastian and Samir? Are there any instances in which Sebastian and Samir both treat Maja in the same way? Do you think Quicksand sets them up as foils to each other? What role does each play in how Maja tries to define herself?

6. Over the course of the novel Maja calls several people “stupid”—Lena Pärsson (p 92), Samir (p 203), Sebastian (p 261). She describes her parents varyingly as vain, materialistic, and overly concerned with their class position and how they are perceived by others. Why do you think she has such a cynical view of the people around her? Are there anyone who Maja sees in a good light?

7. On page 385 Maja says this of Claes, Sebastian’s father:

“Claes wasn’t ashamed, why would he be? He was never ashamed; nothing could threaten him, there was nothing he couldn’t say or do in front of the entire world.”

What are the things Maja feels shame for? How is her shame related to her feelings of guilt?

8. On page 391 Samir tells Maja “You aren’t responsible for [Sebastian].” Her mother, meanwhile, tells her “He needs you, Maja” (p 354). How are the adults around Maja and Sebastian implicated in the murders at the center of the trial? Do you think the adults in Maja’s life failed her in any way?

9. Is there a difference between what Maja thinks and narrates, and how the people around her perceive her actions? Do you trust Maja?

10. Quicksand is set in Sweden. Are there instances in which Maja’s descriptions of race and class relations are applicable to the United States?

Butterflies in November, it would give me incentive to finally read it.