1. Death and the Penguin has been described as a ‘tragicomic masterpiece’ – do you agree, what was your favourite episode in the book? What do you think gives a book a cult status? 2. The book is written in numerous, very short chapters; how does this affect the way the story is told? 3. How much, if anything, do you think you learnt about modern day Ukraine? Some reviews have called the prose "cold", but perhaps it is simply apt as a voice representative of the Ukraine and its people? One review I read said: “A fascinating read that won't do much for Ukrainian tourism. A country where no one can live unless anaesthetised by a constant drip of vodka from morning to night.” 4. Both Viktor and Misha are somewhat isolated figures – who do you think is the loneliest of the two characters? Do either of them find happiness by the end of the novel? 5. What is the role of Misha-non-penguin in the book? 6. Does Victor make friends? Why do you think he has no old friends or family and knows no neighbours? There is little warmth in any of Victor’s relationships, even with Misha, why do you think this is? 7. Why do you think Viktor keeps Sonya after Misha-non-penguin’s death? Do you think there is a reason why Sonya never challenges Viktor over her father’s disappearance? 8. Discuss Viktor and Nina’s relationship; do you think Viktor genuinely cares for Nina? Nina is one of the few female adults characters portrayed in the book; how much do we learn about her during the course of the story? 9. Why do you think Viktor was selected to write the obituaries; can you see any similarities between him and his replacement, the ‘Fat Man’?
2. The book is written in numerous, very short chapters; how does this affect the way the story is told?
3. How much, if anything, do you think you learnt about modern day Ukraine? Some reviews have called the prose "cold", but perhaps it is simply apt as a voice representative of the Ukraine and its people? One review I read said: “A fascinating read that won't do much for Ukrainian tourism. A country where no one can live unless anaesthetised by a constant drip of vodka from morning to night.”
4. Both Viktor and Misha are somewhat isolated figures – who do you think is the loneliest of the two characters? Do either of them find happiness by the end of the novel?
5. What is the role of Misha-non-penguin in the book?
6. Does Victor make friends? Why do you think he has no old friends or family and knows no neighbours? There is little warmth in any of Victor’s relationships, even with Misha, why do you think this is?
7. Why do you think Viktor keeps Sonya after Misha-non-penguin’s death? Do you think there is a reason why Sonya never challenges Viktor over her father’s disappearance?
8. Discuss Viktor and Nina’s relationship; do you think Viktor genuinely cares for Nina? Nina is one of the few female adults characters portrayed in the book; how much do we learn about her during the course of the story?
9. Why do you think Viktor was selected to write the obituaries; can you see any similarities between him and his replacement, the ‘Fat Man’?