ManBookering discussion

Discussion questions will be updated.

I found this a very powerful book. You have to be ready for a lot of bad language (I learned quite a few new words), some graphic violence and a fair amount of sex. And it is written in "Jamaican" which takes a while to get used to. Fortunately, you have 700 pages to settle into the language. But, it is superbly written and I found it an engrossing read.

I am having trouble getting into it; the violence is quite intense; however, I am working my way through it. Can you, would you create, discussion questions? I think that they are a wonderful way to focus comments and exchange ideas!

Shari wrote: "I am having trouble getting into it; the violence is quite intense; however, I am working my way through it. Can you, would you create, discussion questions? I think that they are a wonderful way..."

I've yet to read it so discussion questions will have to be created and facilitated by someone willing to do so that has read it. Sorry I can't be of more help!

Here are a few questions to get things moving. I would be glad if others added more as there is a lot to talk about in this book!

1. In this multi-person narrative, do you think there is one character who holds the story together? Which character is central for you?
2. What does referring to Bob Marley only as "The Singer" do to the book and to his character in the story?
3. What is the role of America in this story?
4. What is the role of women in this story? Perhaps think especially about Nina?
5. Who holds the power? Who is controlling events and who is being controlled?

Thank you! Now a focus and a purpose to finish the book....

I could not read this book straight through. The violence disturbed me too much; however, unlike McCarthy's novel "Blood Meridian, I found myself really caring about these characters. The writing is outstanding; comparisons to Faulkner are apt. I will be shocked if it does not make the Booker shortlist.

Neil writes:
Here are a few questions to get things moving. I would be glad if others added more as there is a lot to talk about in this book!

1. In this multi-person narrative, do you think there is one character who holds the story together? Which character is central for you?
2. What does referring to Bob Marley only as "The Singer" do to the book and to his character in the story?
3. What is the role of America in this story?
4. What is the role of women in this story? Perhaps think especially about Nina?
5. Who holds the power? Who is controlling events and who is being controlled?

Had I not been committed to reading all 13 of these books, I do not believe I would have started much less finished this one, and I would have been poorer.

1. As a woman, Nina captured my attention and interest, and I particularly like the way the author followed her throughout the book.
2. Before reading this book, I knew little about Bob Marley, other than he existed and that he was and is loved by many. Referring to him as "The Singer" gave his story an epic cast.
3. Ugh. Bumbling.... causing harm, but also an escape via television and popular culture. I found the allusions to television shows in the 70's and 80's nostalgic, but also illuminating. People world wide were watching American TV, which is a bit of a scary thought.
4. The language of so many of the voices in the book reek with violently misogynistic imagery. Nina is someone with whom I can immediately relate.
5. I will be thinking a great deal about this one. To a certain extent, all the characters seem controlled by this horrible repetitive and personal cycle of violence.

This book was AMAZING!

Regarding 1 and 2:

1. Josey Wales is definitely the main character of the story. I was surprised at how much my feelings towards him changed as the book progressed. At first I couldn't stand him, with the hit on Marley and all, but I wouldn't have cared for the book anywhere as much without him. He makes the story work IMO.

2. IIRC, Marley wasn't only referred to as "The Singer." I remember some parts that were directly written to him where he was referred as "you," and at least a couple times he was mentioned by name.

One small editing error, at the end of the first of Dorcas's chapters she goes to 80 West 86th street, Madison and Park. As a denizen of the West Side in the mid 1980's, I can assert with confidence that this should be 80 East 86th. There was a world of difference between those two neighborhoods.....

Chuck wrote: "This book was AMAZING!

Regarding 1 and 2:

1. Josey Wales is definitely the main character of the story. I was surprised at how much my feelings towards him changed as the book progressed. At fir..."

Chuck - that's just bad phrasing on my part. I didn't mean Bob Marley was only ever referred to as The Singer but more what effect did the repeated use of that phrase instead of his name have on the way you view him in the story.

Chuck wrote: "This book was AMAZING!

Regarding 1 and 2:

1. Josey Wales is definitely the main character of the story. I was surprised at how much my feelings towards him changed as the book progressed. At fir..."
Chuck and Neil,
The more I think about this book, the more I think that part of its greatness is that there isn't one main character, but many main characters. The book operates a bit like a prism, separating the community into various voices and showing us each color in all its brilliance.
That said, Neil, the sole female voice is central for me. Something about her reaching out to her sister at the end, despite that sister's betrayal touches me deeply, probably because it resonates so personally for me. Isn't that part of the beauty of literature, both the allure and fascination of the other, and the mirror a validation of the self.

Although I did like reading it, I found this the weakest novel of the 9 I've read. I found the different voices daunting at times.

Finished! Quite the extraordinary novel. I wouldn't be surprised if it wins, though I'm still rooting for A Little Life. Now I can go back and read everyone's comments in this thread :D

Nina was most definitely my favorite part of the book. I loved the unexpectedness of her showing up later with new aliases. Her stories always held my attention the most, though for such a long book with some difficult language, I am surprised at how well it did keep my attention. Though a lot of it is a blur to me now, I'm surprised that I never really found it dragging or slow. Everything seems essential, even if it's just creating an atmosphere to the story.

I also found Alex's perspective to be interesting. His fascination with Jamaica and need to write about it almost seems like Marlon James putting himself in the story. Obviously with the title of Alex's story being the same as the book, I'm curious how much farther the connection goes. Obviously Alex is a white American man, so much different than the author. But how much different?

I'm glad I persisted after the first 30 pages or so, because the difficult language definitely became easier. And I gave up trying to understand every single detail and connection, and just went along for the ride. One very wild ride of a story.

And the winner is.....A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEVEN KILLINGS by Marlon James!

yup! well deserved (imo)

How difficult is this book compared to say "Gravity's Rainbow" or "Infinite Jest"?

Marcus wrote: "How difficult is this book compared to say "Gravity's Rainbow" or "Infinite Jest"?"

Not even close to being as tough as either one of those IMO. I haven't even been able to get passed a couple hundred pages of those.

This one just makes the reader work at first to understand all the Jamaican slang.

Chuck wrote: "Marcus wrote: "How difficult is this book compared to say "Gravity's Rainbow" or "Infinite Jest"?"

Not even close to being as tough as either one of those IMO. I haven't even been able to get pass..."

good...i might actually pick it up then...because i tried reading both Gravitys Rainbow and Infinite Jest and i just couldn't do it...like you said they were hard

I've read both Gravity's Rainbow and Infinite Jest. This one is nothing like as difficult to read. Those others are challenging because of the language and complex sentence structures. In this one, there is some Jamaican patois that takes some getting used to but other than that it is really just the number of characters and their relationships that you need to keep an eye on.

I see Gravity's Rainbow and Infinite Jest as books which need dedicated time to read i.e. they can't be seen as leisure reads. Brief History, although not easy, is not impenetrable. I suggest just a brief online search for Jamaican patois and a little background reading about the assassination and Jamaican immigration in the 80's . Listening to some reggae classics like Dilinger's Cocaine in my Brain or Dennis Brown's Money in my Pocket (and obviously Bob Marley) will help understand the era and politics the book is set in

I am listening to the book. Can anyone post the list of characters from the hardback?

Just finished the book. Of course I think its epic. The only problem is that its a very complex and long book, at times it gets heard to follow. So i was wondering if we can answer some of my questions and perhaps use them also for a discussion. If your'e not done with it please don't read on because my questions may spoil some of the plot for you.
1. What were the main seven killings? I think they were that of Weeper, Bam Bam, Shotta Sherif, Papa Lao, Josey Wales, Benjy Wales. and who else?

2. Why are many of the characters homosexual? I'm not homophobic or anything. I'm just curious.

3. Do you really think Josey deserved what happened to him? Are you satisfied with the ending?

4, Who do you think was calling Nina Burgess at the end of the book?

5, Some characters have proper names, while others have nicknames. Why do you think Marlon did that?