Adult Book Discussion: A Passage to India

A Passage to India was the first book discussion I led for my current group. I didn't pick the book, and I was nervous to host the discussion.

The main reason I was nervous was that at first, I really didn't like the book. I didn't care to read about how hot it was, or how eager certain characters were. I didn't feel invested in the setting or the characters and I didn't see much of a plot. I began browsing for discussion questions, and they all referred back to a plot point I hadn't reached yet.

I won't give away any spoilers, but basically the beginning of the book sets up a relationship between an Indian man in his hometown and a British family on vacation. The Indian man takes the family sight-seeing, something happens in a cave, and the rest of the plot unfolds in a case of he-said, she-said. I kept reading, and sure enough, the plot became very interesting. I can't believe I almost didn't give the book a chance. If I were reading it on my own, I might have thrown in the towel, but I sort of had to finish it, and I'm glad I did.

The discussion went...okay. Many of the members did not finish the book, or reach the plot point that kicks things into gear. Our conversation was a bit lopsided. The people who had finished it really enjoyed it, but the people who hadn't regretted not sticking it out.

Topics we discussed:

• What really happened? What leads you to believe this? What would we have gained from being in the cave with them? What would be the point of the book?
• How would this story have played out today?
• Does the turn of events seem realistic?
• What was going on culturally at this point that might skew people's perceptions?

I don't know that I would recommend this to a book group. I suppose it depends on the group. For us, it was slightly too stuffy, and not engaging enough to grab hold of our attention.