Child 44 |
by Tom Rob Smith |
From The Jacket:
In Stalin’s Soviet Union, crime does not exist. But still millions live in fear. The mere suspicion of disloyalty to the State, the wrong word at the wrong time, can send an innocent person to his execution. Officer Leo Demidov, an idealistic war hero, believes he’s building a perfect society. But after witnessing the interrogation of an innocent man, his loyalty begins to waver, and when ordered to investigate his own wife, Raisa, Leo is forced to choose where his heart truly lies. Then the impossible happens. A murderer is on the loose, killing at will, and every belief Leo has ever held is shattered. Denounced by his enemies and exiled from home, with only Raisa by his side, he must risk everything to find a criminal that the State won’t admit even exists. On the run, Leo soon discovers the danger isn’t from the killer he is trying to catch, but from the country he is trying to protect.
*Learn about the author at SimonandSchuster.com: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Tom-Rob-Smith
*Other Books by Same Author: “The Secret Speech”
*Discussion Questions
1.
Leo's character evolves over the course of the book. What do you see as the most significant catalyst for change?
2.
What propels Leo to go forward in his quest for the murderer: fear, compassion, or a sense of justice?
3.
The relationship between Vasili and Leo is contentious from the beginning. Does Vasili feel pure hate, contempt, or jealousy for Leo? Why?
4.
When Raisa reveals the truth of their marriage to Leo, were you surprised at his reaction? Would you have made similar choices under the circumstances? When does personal conviction trump duty and loyalty?
5.
Who do you think was ultimately responsible for incriminating Raisa. What would it be like to live in a society in which everyone is under suspicion of crimes against the state?
6.
Does the book's portrayal of life in a totalitarian state remind you of any other books?
7.
In 1953, the year of Stalin's death, there were 2,468,524 prisoners in the Gulag system. Do you think that legacy affects Russian culture today?
8.
Which character's duplicity or innocence did you find most surprising, and why?
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