Impossible Views of the World (Ives) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
We'll add publisher questions if and when they're available; in the meantime, consider these LitLovers talking points to help start a discussion for Impossible Views of the World … then take off on your own:

1. Describe Stella Krakus. How does she contribute to the mess that her own life is — impending divorce and an affair with a colleague? Does she gain your sympathy or does her frequent deprecation (snark?) of self and others put you off? Do think she a typical millennial?

2. Talk about Stella's mother Caro. What influence does she have on her daughter's life?

3. Lucy Ives is a poet. Do you see evidence of that in Impossible Views? Consider, for instance, the author's turns of phrase: "micro-tizers" or "proofreaders dressed as majorettes" or how Stella "brawls" her way out of the subway.

4. Follow-up to Question 3: Some readers on Goodreads were put off by Ives's writing, finding the novel over-written, pretentious, even confusing. Were you put off, as well?

5. Does Impossible Views of The World live up to its billing as a mystery? Is the ending, the reveal, satisfying?

6. An appendix is…well, appended to the back of the book. Did you find it helpful in following the plot? Is it a necessary inclusion?

(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online or off, with attribution. Thanks.)

top of page (summary)