Please use the following to discuss in your groups.
1. What would you do if you were in the Boone’s family situation?
2. Do you think Christopher Boone is a realistic character?
3. What would you have done if you discovered the dead dog?
4. If you were Christopher, would you forgive your father?
5. Now that you understand Christopher’s problems, does it make you feel differently about everyday activities that you take for granted?
6. What effect did Christopher’s disability have on his parents’ relationship? Did it contribute to their divorce?
7. What are your perceptions of the Boone family?
8. Did you enjoy this book? Why or why not?
9. Were the digressions interesting or annoying?
10. How would you cope with a child with Asperger’s syndrome? Do you have sympathy for Christopher’s father?
11. Should we hate Mrs Shears?
12. Would you relate better to the book if you had Asperger’s syndrome?
13. If you were CB, would you have run away?
14. What do you think inspired Mark Haddon to write this book?
15. Why does someone as clever as CB behave so foolishly at times?
16. Which part of the book was best? Why?
17. Was it risky for Christopher to go to find his mother?
18. Was CB’s father justified in his actions?
19. Is the swearing effective or necessary in the book?
20. How do you react to the title of the book—it’s quite childish?
21. Did the ‘random information’ help you understand Christopher better?
22. Is this book an accurate portrayal of Asperger’s syndrome?
23. Were you engaged or alienated from the book?
24. How realistic is the novel?
25. Does CB make for a good detective?
26. How do you respond to Mark Haddon’s techniques?
