COMPLICATION Book Club Discussion Guide

Below are some gentle suggestions for points of discussion should your reading group or book club dare to take on COMPLICATION.

At the outset of the novel, Lee Holloway has a muted, numb reaction to his father’s death. His only emotional break comes during the wake, when he considers punching a wall. Have you ever punched a wall? What did it feel like? What were the repercussions among your friends and family?
In the first historical section of the novel, Eliška Reznícková is being interrogated by the secret police for a crime they initially refuse to name, but has somehow to do with accordions. Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? How did you react? Also, what do you think of accordions? Did you know polka music was actually invented in Prague? Well, it was.
At one point, Lee Holloway decides to pose as a local journalist when trying to get information about his brother’s disappearance. Did you see the season finale of Walking Dead? What the hell was that thing with the armless zombies on chains? That was awesome.
Throughout the book, Lee Holloway struggles with how much to trust Vera, his brother’s former girlfriend and criminal co-conspirator. Did you try this wine? It’s a Pinot Gris – different from Pinot Grigio. It’s really good.
Alchemist Edward Kelley dreams up the Rudolf Complication in order to impress the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. Have you ever promised something you might not be able to deliver in order to win the favor of your boss? How did you deal with the situation? Did you seek supernatural intervention? Did you fear if you did not deliver on your promise that you would be tortured and/or killed? I can’t believe how much it’s raining this year.
Part of the book is set in on the eve of the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938 following the Munich Agreement. Jan Murcek, an elderly antiques dealer, is reluctant to leave Prague even though he knows hard times are surely coming. Have you ever been reluctant to leave somewhere even though part of you knows its time to go? I mean, it’s getting kind of late. The food is all gone and the only wine left is that swill that Laura brought. We all have to get up in the morning. Don’t you think its maybe time to, you know, head out?