Death of the Author

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How do you feel about the progression of Zelu’s journey? Focus your discussion on the specific challenges that Zelu faces, rather than the successes that come easy to her.

2. Who is your favorite member of Zelu’s family? Do you think Okorafor crafted an effective depiction of a large family dynamic? Compare this depiction to other novels about big families, such as Commonwealth by Ann Patchett.

3. Nnedi Okorafor is best known for her science fiction stories, such as Binti and Who Fears Death. How does Okorafor fare outside the speculative genre? What are the manifestations of science fiction in Death of the Author, and how do they serve a narrative grounded in the real world?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. How do you work through disagreements within your family? Are you and your parents, siblings, or other relatives prone to argument? Are you, as Amarachi says, “Easy” and “Noisy”? What are the ways you resolve your issues?

2. Zelu feels like people pity her for having a disability, going the extra mile to protect and coddle her, even when she doesn’t need it.