A Long Story Short discussion

As you get further into this novel, we can begin to discuss the different aspects of the story and writing! Here are a couple of discussion topics to get us started... Keep in mind, try not to give any spoilers for those who may be not as far along OR be sure to note at the top of your comments that it DOES contain spoilers!! We don't want to ruin anything for anyone. We will be posting a final thoughts discussion towards the end of the month where spoilers are welcome and we can discuss the ending and and reviews!

1. What character do you relate to the most and why?

2. There are a number of allusions to Shakespeare throughout the text: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, and As You Like It. Did you pick up on these? How does each play reveal itself in the novel?

3. What was your favorite part of the circus? Which character would you most want to meet? Which tent would you most want to visit? Which food sounded most appealing?

4. Discuss themes of good and evil and free will verses being "bound."

5. How do you view the morality of the circus in regards to the performers and developers being unknowing pawns in Celia and Marco’s competition?

Your thoughts are not bound to these topics. Feel free to expand and add your own questions too!

The character that I would say I can relate most to in the novel is Bailey. I love how he is drawn to adventure and that he always feel like there was more to life than just the options he is presented. I can relate to that feeling of just wanting to run away to the circus! He is definitely a dreamer and I like to think I am more of a dreamer than a realist.

I did notice all of the references to Shakespeare. It kind of seemed like whenever a reference was made, it was kind of shadowed in the story as well, whether it was a bit of information you or a character learned or physically what was happening to the characters.

I think my favorite part of the circus would have just been the atmosphere in itself. The mystery and uniqueness and then also the magical and childlike feeling. There are several characters I would want to meet. If I would have to pick, I would say either Poppet and Widget or Chandresh. The twins seem to be innocent, but more wise than most all at the same time, so I think they would be interesting to be around. Chandresh just seems like a fun person in general. He throws fabulous parties and I love being around fun creative people like that. I would love to visit the entire circus, but I would say my favorite tents would probably be either the Ice Garden or the Stargazer. ALL of the food sounded AMAZING lol I would love to try it all haha

I think the book is interesting visiting the subject of good and evil. I am not sure that really any of the characters are really evil. Prospero and AH are portrayed as the villains, but if you look at the situation from the point of view, it could be just another lesson of humanity. Their point of views are so different from others because of their "situations" i'll say so I don't spoil anything. I feel in the end everyone, whether "bound" or not ultimately had free will to a point.

I feel sorry for the performers who do not know. I wouldn't question their morality because even though they are involved, they don't know the stakes. Even those who do know some like Barris or Lainie. I am not sure that I would blame them because they don't know what the ultimate outcome must be. The only morality I would question would be Prospero and AH just because they are so frivolous with the lives of so many people who are totally ignorant to what is happening. You could argue though that their uncaring nature though isn't evil, but its just they can see a bigger picture of life and time. Tsukiko's morality could perhaps be questioned, finding out what you do about her in the end, but she can also be considered a victim as well.