Book Club Discussion Questions for Snowglobe by Soyoung Park, Joungmin Lee Comfort

Book Club Discussion Questions

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Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. If you had the chance to star in a reality show, but in exchange, you would need to give up your right to privacy, would you do it? Why or why not?
2. Research the rate of climate change. What are some predictions experts have made about the rate of climate change?
3. What are the ethics of cloning? Are there situations in which it is deemed appropriate, ethical, or necessary?
4. What are our privacy rights? How do you see people and institutions safeguarding our rights to privacy? Do you see any violations? What can we do to advocate for our right to privacy?
5. Interview an older person about how technology has changed throughout their lifetime. How has their personal use of technology changed?
6. At the book's opening, Chobahm tells the reader that the electricity they produce at the plant powers the lives of those who live in Snowglobe, and in exchange, Snowglobe residents "share their lives" (p. 17). What do you think of this exchange?
7. Chobahm wonders what decisions she would have made if she were various people in Snowglobe (p. 20): the director of the Jo Miryu show, Jo Miryu herself, Goh Haeri. Pick one character and explain how you think Chobahm would have behaved differently, and why.
8. When Chobahm asks Director Cha whether or not Haeri left a suicide note, Director Cha responds that the question is intrusive. To what extent should celebrities—even ones whose lives are laid bare in a reality show—be expected to share every detail of their lives? Is there any topic or situation that is off limits? Should there be protections in place when the celebrity is a young person?
9. What kinds of privacy can the people in this story expect? What kinds of privacy should all people reasonably expect?
10. Chobahm explains that "civilizations around the globe clashed brutally as the climate shift became more and more dramatic" (p. 58).
11. Why would climate change make civilizations fight with one another? How do you see this playing out in our own lives? What can we do about it?
12. If you were in Chobahm's position, would you have accepted Director Cha's offer? What were Chobahm's options?
13. Chobahm is devastated when she learns that Haeri has died by suicide. Was there a person—an actor, politician, or someone else—whose death was difficult for you? Why do you think the deaths of famous people—who we know only from afar— impact us so much?
14. Chobahm had started the story by telling the reader how desperately she wanted to meet Goh Haeri and maybe even live a similar life. At what point does this fantasy begin to unravel? What are some of the shocking truths that Chobahm learns as her dream becomes a nightmare?
15. Chobahm becomes sick almost immediately after she arrives in Snowglobe. She explains that the extreme cold weather outside Snowglobe killed off viruses, but they still survive inside because of the climate. How does the immune system work? What are the optimal conditions for viruses to take hold? What are vaccines, how are they made, and how effective are they? How can we protect ourselves from becoming infected and seriously ill?
16. Fran's "face bears the ravages of cancer, a disease that, despite all the advances in medical technology, continues to evade us" (p. 173). Research the following: Where does cancer research stand today? What are some of the most important advances that have been made in the last few decades? How does funding and policy for cancer research work? Do you see any barriers to progress? What should be done about them?
17. Chobahm is shocked when she discovers the prison camp where the incarcerated are forced to run on hamster wheels to generate energy. What does incarceration and punishment look like where you live? Research what is permissible treatment of prisoners in your state with regards to labor. What is the history of using prisoners for labor? Do you think this is fair?
18. Is living in Snowglobe a privilege, as Director Cha tells Chobahm (p. 126)? Why do you think people think it is? What does this tell you about perception and reality? Does this have any bearing on your own life?
19. Chobahm shares that "Every once in a while the opinion gets resurrected ... that nuclear energy should be readopted to free up the masses from the oppression of the hamster wheels. But humanity is not willing to take that risk" (p. 141). She asks, "And why should we when the world teems with people capable of producing safe and clean energy just by the sweat on their brows?" Are those the only two options? What do you think the people inside and outside of Snowglobe should do?
20. While discussing Haeri's potential romance with Bonwhe, Chobahm asks Director Cha "Did you create Haeri's secret?" (p. 199) What do you think? To what extent do you think Director Cha
21. Presumably the inhabitants of Snowglobe consent to having their lives constantly recorded. What are the ethics of nonstop surveillance? Do you think there are sufficient policies to protect Snowglobe citizens?
22. Chobahm connects and teams up with several important girls in Part 3. Are they victims or villains? How would you have handled the fan mail and complaints? Agency and Violence
23. Chobahm wonders if she could consider Hyang a "conscientious objector" (p. 248). What is a "conscientious objector," and how is that different from quitting? Who are some other conscientious objectors you admire, and why? What was the impact of their actions?
24. As Chobahm and Hyang discuss plans to return to Snowglobe, Chobahm says, "Returning to Snowglobe to kill off Haeri and reclaim Chobahm is not an act of murder, but an affirmation of life" (p. 254). Do you agree or disagree? Why?
25. If you had a chance to live Goh Haeri's life, would you take it? Why or why not?
26. Chobahm faces some seemingly impossible situations. Write about a difficult time in your life, what happened, and who, if anyone, helped you.
27. Earlier in the story, Yujin met Chobahm/Haeri at the Yibonn party. Yujin tells her, "One person has to die if you run into your clone—did you know that? ... It's said that there are a total of three clones for each of us, including ourselves" (pp. 89–90). What other instances of foreshadowing has the author has sprinkled throughout the story?
28. How has reading Snowglobe impacted your thoughts about surveillance, war, and climate change?
29. What do you think about the ability to clone people? Do you think it should be allowed under any circumstances? Why?
30. What do you think of the cover? Look up the original Korean cover. Why do you think the American publisher decided on this cover?
31. What are some other translated books you've read? What do you think are some of the challenges in translating a book like Snowglobe? What do you think might have been easy to translate about this story?

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