Current (Thoraval) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
1. The Current is set against a backdrop of rising sea levels. To what extent is this a novel about global climate change? What, if anything, does the author have to say about climate change?

2. What is "The Current," and how does this central metaphor influence the novel’s themes and characters?

3. How do the themes of nature versus nurture, science versus religion play out in novel?

4. Religion plays an important part of the novel’s narrative structure. Christian themes, in particular, reverberate throughout the novel. To what extent is this a religious or Christian story?

5. L’Eden Sur Mer is French for Eden on the Sea. Is the island an Eden?

6. Why does the international community turn its back on the Republic of L’Eden Sur Mer?

7. What is the perspective of world leaders (for example within United Nations) on L’Eden Sur Mer? To what extent is their view comparable to the perspective of the Van Dooren family?

8. What is the role of nature in The Current?

9. How does the novel treat the relationship between parents and their children?

10. What is the role of fathers in the novel?

11. What role does technology play in The Current?

12. How is Gaia Enterprises implicated in L’Eden Sur Mer’s dilemma? To what extent is Stephen complicit in the company’s wrong-doing? Is Stephen a victim only? What were his motivations for working at Gaia?

13. How do Alma’s shopping habits reflect her personal issues and how does her shopping relate to the broader themes explored in the book?

14. What is the significance of Alma’s workplace?

15. The characters are flawed. What are their flaws and how did their character affect your experience of the novel?

16. Is there a hero in this story?

17. Alma is deeply affected by her experiences of migration. To what extent is The Current a novel about the migrant experience?

18. What is the significance of the novel’s dedication? What does this dedication add to your reading and understanding of the story?

19. How does the novel distinguish between the idea of a home versus a homeland? How is this distinction important to Alma? To President Koyl?

20. What is a community according to the author?

21. How and why are the islanders divided on how to approach their predicament?

22. How is the Van Dooren family connected to the island of L’Eden Sur Mer?

23. What are some of the similarities and differences between the personalities of the Van Dooren family? How do the characters’ personal experiences inform their worldview?

24. What motivates the members of the Van Dooren family to behave as they do?

25. How would you describe Peter’s relationship with nature? Why has he adopted this position?

26. What does Peter really want to achieve? Why?

27. How does Tal respond to the Van Dooren family’s wealth? Is affluence itself problematic in The Current.

28. Gracie claims to be a Christian. Is she?

29. To what extent is Gracie responsible for the difficulties she experiences?

30. How does Stephen’s addiction to internet pornography inform his relationship with women? How does this relationship change over the course of the novel?

31. How does Peter change over the course of the novel? What factors contribute to this change?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)

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