BOOK CLUB KIT

Discussion Questions

1.

The narrator only confers proper names on a handful of characters; others are named
through their relationships to others. Why do you think the author chose to do this? Also, even
those characters that arent named by the narrator are referred to by name in conversation
with others, except for Noahs wife. Why do you think she remains Noahs wife throughout?

2.

Noah is fighting a difficult internal battle to overcome his crisis of faith. Why do you think he
is struggling with his beliefs? Have you ever experienced a situation in which you doubted
your ability to have faith? What types of faith, other than religious, do we see in the novel?

3.

The biblical flood story describes the pairs of animals that march into the ark. How is this
novel, too, a story about pairing?

4.

Why have the townspeople decided to stay in this dying town? How do the characters
reconcile their decisions to remain even when its clear that its dangerous to do so?

5.

The town in the story is overcome by the ungovernable forces of nature. What message does
this send about the relationship between humans and their environment?

6.

Is there a villain is this novel? If so, who and why?

7.

The novel is full of references to animalsboth literal and metaphorical. What is the role of
the zoo in the novel? Do the animals further divide the townspeople or do they bring them
together?

8.

Noahs ark in popular culture is often used as a sunny theme in nurseries or at birthday
partiesthe animals, the rainbows, and so on. Yet the story itself is very dark in its depiction
of the destruction of the world. Is this novel optimistic or pessimistic? How does the story
combine lighthearted elements with darker aspects?

9.

Noahs Wife is based on a minor character in the biblical flood story. Does she succeed as
a protagonist? What is the role of minor characters in this novel?

10.

At the end of the novel, which characters have changed and which have remained
mostly the same? Do you think the story portrays a realistic view of how humans react
to uncontrollable circumstances? How do you imagine the future will unfold for Noahs wife
and the townspeople? For Noah?

Noahs Hot
Dark and Stormy
STEP 1: MAKE THE GINGER TEA

2 cups water
1 x 1-inch knob of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
5 whole cloves
3 teaspoons honey

Pour water into a small saucepan and add cloves. Bring to a boil. Turn off
heat and add grated ginger and honey. Let steep for about five minutes.
Strain and discard the solids.

STEP 2: PREPARE TWO SMALL MUGS

2 ounces Goslings black rum or favorite dark rum
2 lime wedges
Fresh nutmeg, grated
Pour 1 ounce of rum and 1/2 cup of hot ginger tea into each mug. Squeeze
lime wedge over each drink and dust with nutmeg. Repeat with the other
mug. Serves two.

Rainy Day Essentials

IMPENETRABLE RAIN BOOTS
They might be big and a little bulky, but youll be thankful when your feet are dry and
warm instead of soaked and ice cold. The plus side? They now come in adorable colors
and patterns to integrate easily into your daily outfits.

CLEAR BUBBLE UMBRELLA

A must-have to keep the rain off your face no matter which way the wind blows. The clear
material allows you to see where youre walking, avoiding any messy street collisions!

WATERPROOF PHONE CASE

If youre guilty of texting while walking (arent we all?), this case will keep your phone rainfree while you juggle an umbrella and text your friends.

A GOOD BOOK
For those days that are just too treacherous to leave the house, commit to a glorious
afternoon inside with a hot cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and an irresistible read.