Questions & Suggestions

Themes

Do you see aspects of CHANTbot-vip in the world around you today? What is its promise and potential? What are its risks and challenges?

How much has AI impacted your daily life? Do you think it is possible to use AI ethically?

Do you believe stories are as crucial to the human condition as the book makes the case for?

Discuss the theme of forgiveness in the novel.

Which would you pick to accompany you on a treacherous quest and why: The Ring of Love, the Magic Microphone or the Great Sword?

Is The Making of Brio McPride a love story?

How far do you view this as a coming-of-age novel?

If you were writing a review of this book, what would its title be? And where would you like your review to appear?

For you, what is the novel’s most powerful message?

What is a father? What is a mother?

Can we forgive our parents if they let us down?

What is religion? Is there a place for organised religion in today’s society? Where do you draw the line between faith and religion?

Did the story challenge your perception or opinion on anything?

Characters

What does Brio want most? Why can’t he have it?

How does each main character change through the story?

Which character in the book did you find most likeable / dislikable?

What do you think of Pippa’s role in Brio’s life? Does she do enough for Brio? How far can his difficulties be laid at her door? What are her weaknesses? Does she truly love Brio?

How does our understanding of Father T change over the course of the novel?

Are there any characters in the story who don’t act out of self-interest?

Was anyone in the book capable of helping Brio more than they did?

Which of the characters in the novel do you think would feel the biggest sense of regret for their actions?

Is Pippa and Logie’s relationship genuine – and will it last?

What do you imagine life was like for Brio’s mum when she first arrived on the island?

Is Logie a villain, a hero, a bit of both, or neither?

How important is Izzy’s friendship to Brio and what happens to him? Does their friendship remind you of any other famous fictional friendships?

Story

What’s the school’s role in helping and hindering Brio?

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

What did you find most shocking about Brio’s story?

What did you think of the ending? Did it surprise you?

Is there anything you wished happened in the novel that didn’t?

How long did it take you to get into the story?

What do you think really happened to Bella Ripley?

How might Zpydr fail in the future? And what might come after it?

Does the book’s ending prove Tabo Forzac wrong?

What do you think happens immediately after the novel’s ending? And 10 years later?

If you had to give one word to describe the novel’s ending, what would it be?

Storytelling Devices

How effective did you find the Hoggit’s story in illuminating Brio’s inner world?

How important is the novel’s island setting? Should Brio’s physical world be described more than it is?

Is Brio a hero?

Do you find Tabo Forzac’s arguments convincing?

What revelation or twist in the plot did you not see coming?

Is there a danger to keeping a diary? What do you think about the various approaches to writing a diary discussed in the book?

Personal and Emotional

Did this novel push you out of your comfort zone in any way?

What was the most challenging or difficult part of the novel for you to read and understand?

How did reading it make you feel? Did it evoke any memories from your own life?

Was there anything you didn’t like, or anything you would change?

Other

If you had to give this book an alternative title, what would it be?

How would you adapt the narrative into a film?

What question would you like to ask the author of this book?

Who would you cast in a film of this book? (Characters you might like to consider: Brio, Logie, Izzy, Pippa, Bella Ripley, Brio’s mum, Tabo Forzac.