Fiction

1. How does grief manifest itself in each of the story’s main characters? How do they respond to tragedy differently?
2. How does guilt complicate the healing process for both David and Anne? Does guilt precipitate their breakup, or only hasten the inevitable?
3. Robillard has said that his reason for writing is “To entertain. To commiserate.” How does The Road to Atlantis fulfil this goal? Did the novel compel you to read on? Did you empathize with its characters?
4. Did you find any of the main characters more compelling than the others? Did you identify with any more easily? Which one(s) and why?
5. Each segment of the novel introduces a new narrative character. How do the additions of these perspectives enrich the characterization? The plot?
6. In an interview, Robillard said, “We are more likely to be acted upon by forces beyond our control or comprehension than we are to unleash or wield these forces. And yet we are not helpless. We maintain the capacity to choose our actions and reactions to these forces.” The characters in Atlantis make many poor choices in the face of these forces. Did they need to make these choices -- and suffer there consequences -- in order to heal?
7. David shows signs of recovery midway through the novel before he hits rock bottom in “The House On Water Street.” How much of this collapse is his own fault? How much is Anne’s? Are there any other elements at play?
8. Why does Anne choose Danny? What push factors exist? Is there any pull?  
9. What is the impact of the family tragedy on Matty? What influence, if any, might it have had on his relationship with Kim?
10. Before we meet Larry in the final segment, we have only David’s memories with which to construct him. How does his introduction as a narrative character change your perception of who he is? Why do you think he is included?
11. Water is a recurring motif in the novel. What does it represent? How does its connotation change over the course of the novel?
12. Why does Robillard introduce the model railroading. What is the significance of David’s fascination with it?
13. Robillard’s writing has been characterized as Hemingway-esque -- “sparse,” “economical,” “with a keen-edged grace.”   What scenes stand out for you as particularly poignant or memorable for their prose?
14. Early in the book, David said, “He, and everyone around him, would delineate his history as before and after Nat.” Do you think he feels the same way in the closing scene?
15. Did you find the end of the novel satisfying? Did it end as you expected?

From the Gutenthal Galaxy

1. From reading the stories in ‘From the Gutenthal Galaxy’ how would you describe the community of Gutenthal?
2. What themes or motifs do these Gutenthal stories have in common?
3. Two of the stories feature Oata as a character. What do you make of her?
4. Water is a feature in three of the Gutenthal stories. What significance does this have?
5. What is your impression of Gutenthal men as presented in these stories?
6. While four of the stories in the first section are written in a first person voice, the stories in this section are written in third person. What difference does that make?

Beginnings

7. In her cover blurb, Susie Moloney says, “I don’t think ‘Barn Dance’ will ever leave me.” What characteristics of the story might have led her to say that?
8. Do the styles these Gutenthal stories are written in enhance or hinder your reading experience?
9. Why might this section be labeled ‘Beginnings’?

Subarctic Stories

10. In the stories ‘The Little Kollouch’ and ‘A Woman Who Married Yamozha’, are the first person narrators convincing as women? Why or why not?
11. What do the three stories in this grouping suggest about the importance of stories and their role when cultures meet?
12. How do these stories make you feel about your own stories?

The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz

13. In the story ‘And Besides God Made Poison Ivy’, what questions are hinted at but not answered?
14. What do you notice about the narrative voice of the first five stories in this section?
15. How would you identify the era or time period of the stories in this section?
16. What are the dilemmas Suschkje faces in ‘Engel Bengel’ and ‘Mary’s Creek’, and how does she handle them? Are her actions credible?
17. In ‘Moonlight Rehearsal’ the narrative voice changes from the previous five stories. How does that affect your reading experience?
18. How would you characterize Suschkje? Kjrayel Kehler? Beethoven Blatz?
19. What do you see in the relationship between Suschkje and Kjrayel?
20. How about the relationship between Suschkje and Blatz?

Olfert

21. How would you describe Olfert’s world and his place in it?
22. What links these five stories?
23. What strikes you about Olfert’s relationship with women?

Return

24. What are these last two pieces about?
25. Are these final pieces stories or poems? What makes you think this?

General questions about the book

26. Would you recommend this book to other readers? Why or why not?
27. What role does music play in these stories?
28. Comment about Armin Wiebe’s use of language. Does the inclusion of “non-English” words enhance or hinder your reading experience?
29. What wines and finger food would complement a discussion of Armin’s Shorts?

1. How does this novel work as a love story?
2. What images stayed in your mind after reading the novel? How did these images affect your reading experience?
3. How did the title serve your experience of reading the novel?
4. Discuss the central choices Susch, Obrum, and Blatz make. Discuss the consequences of these choices.
5. How do secrets affect the actions and happiness of the characters?
6. Although the story is set in the past, in what way could the characters’ situation have relevance in today’s world?
7. What relationship did you see between the tall grass prairie setting and the characters’ emotional states?
8. Discuss Susch’s reliability as a narrator.
9. Although they only appear on the page through the memories of Blatz and Obrum, discuss how Sonia and Maria influence the decisions Obrum, Susch, and Blatz make?
10. How does the shadow at the window drive the story?
11. Why does baseball matter so much to Isaac?
12. Discuss the challenges of happily sustaining a love triangle? How many triangles are there in the novel?
13. How is this novel about grace?
14. How is this novel about breathing?
15. How is this a novel about parents’ ideals and eccentricities and their effect on their children?
16. Preacher Funk warns his congregation about “talking through the flower.” In what way is the novel about unclear communication and its consequences?
17. Susch and Obrum have a son named Isaac. Discuss the significance of that.
18. How does art inform the characters’ spirituality?
19. Discuss the various grief experiences the characters have, and how trauma is processed and embodied by the characters.
20. Discuss the significance of the lawn swing, the wedding dress, and the piano to the different characters.
21. In some ways, Susch’s story is bookended with Susch’s grandmother and her great-granddaughter. Discuss the role of familial memory and intergenerational “ghosts” in the novel.
22. How is Susch’s home with Blatz and Obrum peaceful? How is it violent?