Discussion Questions
1. How does this depiction of modern society reflect your own experience? What are the similarities and differences?
2. Discuss the different descriptions of depression in the book. For example: "a winter that began in summer and lasted one whole year," or "despair descends and paralyses you ... like a chemical wash."
3. Michael is aware that other people are worse off than him. Should we compare our own difficulties to those of others?
4. The narrator tells us that the best entry point into the story is Rosie’s altercation with Eva. But the actual book starts with the car accident. And Michael comes to realise that his feelings of abandonment stem from his adoption at birth. Do the different possible beginnings mirror the different possible causes for Michael’s depression?
5. How much of Michael’s self-loathing stems from his inability to fulfill traditionally masculine roles, especially as breadwinner?
6. Discuss some of the other males in the novel and the alternative models of masculinity they exemplify (for example, George Pessites, Rat-tat-tat, Declan). What about the character Michael often contemplates—Zorba?
7. "So this perfect little person has arrived and now we get to fuck him up," Wendy says after Declan is born. Is it possible to be a parent without fucking up your children?
8. "You are no longer big, strong dependable Daddy. Daddy who puts a roof over our heads and brings home money for food and clothes. Daddy who fixes things and makes things better. Daddy who knows best" (120). What does the novel say about the importance of traditional models of fatherhood?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)
Full Ridiculous (Lamprell) - Discussion Questions
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