Discussion questions for Pages 1-95

Here are the discussion questions for the first part of the book.

Reminder: Please remember not to post spoilers.I know we left off in mid chapter and if you couldn't put the book down, just be aware some people haven't finished yet. If you think you may be posting a spoiler, go ahead and put up a red "SPOILER ALERT" in that part of your post.

1. Each of the stories in Say You’re One of Them is told from the perspective of a child. Do you think this affected your reaction? If the narrators had been adults, might you have felt differently about the stories? Why do you think Akpan chose to depict these events through children’s eyes? In Akpan’s first two stories how does the young characters maintain innocence in the face of corruption and pain?

2. In “An Ex-mas Feast,” Maisha leaves her family to become a full- time prostitute. Do you think she chose to depart, or did her family’s poverty force her to flee? Is it possible to have complete freedom of will in such a situation? Is it reasonable to judge a person for her actions if her choice is not entirely her own?


3. How did you feel about the use of "kabire" to stop hunger? 

4. Can you imagine a life like this family was living? What makes you most sad for the family?

Any questions or thought provoking comments after our reading so far?? Post them here for others. If we get enough I may post another blog post with all the questions.

We will see you back here next Monday (Nov. 14) to discuss pages 95 to 172