Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck

Book Club Discussion Questions

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Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. The stories in The History of Sound are linked in clever and surprising ways. What did you think of this puzzle-like structure? How did these connections between stories enhance your reading experience? Were there any narrative threads from these pairs that you'd like to see continued in another story?
2. The collection is deeply concerned with what we pass on, knowingly or unwittingly, over generations. Is there a particular object in your life that you think might have significance on a future generation?
3. Several of the stories are concerned with the lasting imprint of first love. What role, if any, does first love play in your life? How do you think about that relationship and time?
4. How does the northeastern landscape contribute to the overall atmosphere and mood of the book? Can you draw any parallels between the physical setting and the emotional or psychological state of the characters? How does your immediate environment impact your life?
5. Have you ever uncovered a hidden or unknown family story or history? How did it impact your understanding of your family's past and your own identity?
6. Discuss the theme of home and belonging as it appears across these stories. How do the characters define and redefine home over time? How do you think about home?
7. Many of the transcendent moments in The History of Sound are spurred by a character's realization about the natural world. Do you turn to nature when you're seeking clarity? What have you found there?
8. Considering the dialogue between past and present that connects each story, did reading this collection make you think differently about how you view the past? Do you think that misunderstandings and longings have a way of coming back to us in unexpected ways?

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