Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Death's Country by R. M. Romero

Book Club Discussion Questions

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Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Contrast Andres Santos' behavior in Sãn Paulo and Miami. Explain what he means by, "I wore two faces in honor of my home: the jaguar and the prince" (p. 6). Discuss the jaguar as a representation of Andres. Explain Andres' role as the prince.
2. How is Andres affected by his parents' tumultuous relationship? In what ways does Mami think Andres is like his father? How does this assessment make Andres angry? Explain what Andres means by, "Usually, I was able to stay on the outskirts of their tragedy" (p. 94).
3. What does Andres learn about love as the novel progresses? What are his mother's thoughts about love? How does Andres meet Renee Delgado and Liora Rose? Discuss the love between the three.
4. Ariel is Andres' electric Strat guitar. Explain why he names his guitar. What does the guitar symbolize? Discuss what Renee means when she says to Andres, "You tuck your secrets in Ariel's body" (p. 68). Explain the power of music in the book. At what point does Ariel become Andres' weapon? Discuss the symbolism of Renee's camera. How does the camera speak the truth? In what way do Ariel and the camera get them out of the underworld?
5. How does Mrs. Rose treat Andres and Renee when they inquire about Liora? Explain the following metaphor: "The woman in our path, Mrs. Rose, was a glacier in the wrong latitude" (p. 82). Discuss the conversation between Liora and her mom at the end of the book. How might Liora's life change because of this conversation?
6. Discuss why Andres dives into the Tietê River when he knows it is dangerous. Explain what he means by, "I was in Death's Country" (p. 20). Define euphemism. Cite the many euphemisms used for death in the novel. Andres says, "To face Death is to glimpse the whole of your life" (p. 23). How does he see his life when he drowns in the Tietê River? What do you think he would say about his life in Miami when he returns from the underworld?
7. Andres is tired of being angry. What is the bargain he makes with Death? How does Death grant him a second chance? How does his bargain with Death explain his guilt about Liora's accident?
8. Describe the underworld and its cast of characters. Why does Renee's grandmother warn her never to enter the underworld? Explain this line: "The City is an attempt at life" (p. 139). Why is it called the "kingdom of regrets" (p. 194)?
9. The novel is described as "magical realism." Identify the magic in the book. At what point does Andres learn of Renee's magic? What is "soul retrieval"? Trace Andres and Renee's journey to the underworld to retrieve Liora's soul. What does Andres risk by going to the underworld?
10. What is the central theme of the novel? Identify secondary themes. Cite passages from the book to support your thoughts.

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Peachtree Publishers. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.