LIFEWALLA

1. The book was inspired by real events. Why does it not name the city of the real events? Could the story relate to other trauma experiences? What current man-made or natural disasters might have survivor experiences? Could these have some similar characteristics to those in the book? Discuss the experience of loss, grief, shock, anger and powerlessness in the book. Do these also relate to current news events? Does any of this affect your perspective about the story? About survivors?

2. How did you experience the book? Did you engage immediately with Dilkhush or did it take you a while? How did you feel as you read the story—intrigued, amused, saddened, disturbed, thrilled, confused...? Did you connect to different parts of the book and characters differently? How? Why do you think that was?

3. Describe Dilkhush’s character, personality and motivations. What are her inner qualities? How does her position represent women and widows in her culture, country and class? How would her experience have been different had she lived in your country or culture or class? Does this also apply to Dalya, Naseema Bi, and Omera? What do Sick Sikh and the old owl’s girls provide in the story? 

4. What character traits in the book do you find yourself reflecting upon most?

• What is Dilkhush’s reaction to those who have wronged her?

• Is Omera’s reaction to Dilkhush justified? What are her real feelings about her life?

• Are there characters you most looked forward to? Why?

• Are the characters justified in their actions? Would you want them to do something different? Who and why?

• Who do you feel is(are) the absent character(s)? Why do you think that is? What do you feel they could have added? How does this relate to the real world?

• Do you feel the characters represent only themselves or do they personify universal aspects? If the latter, what does each represent?

• How has the past shaped each of the characters lives?

• Do they remind you of people you know? Do their emotions remind you of any experience you have had?

• Describe the dynamics between the old owl’s girls and the people they come in contact with? How would they have been with the villain? With the Bilayatis family?

• Do you admire or disapprove of them? What do you think their place is in their culture?

• Why do some characters in the book get involved in the politics and legalities of the disaster and others don’t? Which is the position you feel is most realistic? How does this relate to people in your country or culture or time?

5. How does Dilkhush’s character development take place—from her journey as a girl in her Father’s village, to the end of the book? How does her world work? Does she learn something different to what she had seen around her? What do you think happens to her afterwards? If she had lived in a different country or culture, or been a man, would her experience have been different? How?