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READING GUIDE
1. What is the significance of the
title The Sound of Language? How does it relate to bees?
2. Is the racism in the novel worse
than the racism you see or hear about elsewhere?
3. Do you know any refugees? How
are refugees treated in your country? Did the novel affect your
sense of the refugee experience?
4. Gunnar is a retired widower who
is set in his ways, yet he makes room for Raihana in his life. How
does Raihana fit into Gunnar’s life?
5. How would you characterize the
reactions of Gunnar’s friends and family toward Raihana and the
reaction of the Afghan community toward Raihana’s unusual praktik?
6. Anna’s beekeeping diary opens
each chapter. How do these entries enhance the story? What struck
you most about the beekeeping practices she outlines?
7. The story takes place in a small
town in Denmark. Did the setting remind you of anywhere in America?
8. Why do you think Raihana holds
on to the hope that her husband is alive? What allows her to let
this go? Do you think she makes the right choice?
9. The incident of the firebomb is
based on a real attack against an immigrant family in Denmark. Can
you understand the motives of the boys who firebomb Layla and
Kabir’s house? How would your community react to racial violence
such as this?
10. Since 9/11, discrimination
against Muslims has been increasing. In Europe, several countries
are even considering banning the scarf and the burkha. What do you
think about this development?
11. Honey plays an important part
in the book and is almost a character by itself. Did the book
inspire you to try different types of honey? Discuss various ways
that you have eaten honey and the recipes you use it in.
12. What do you think of the way
Denmark is depicted in the novel? Is this how you perceived Denmark
to be? Did anything surprise you?
13. Did you think Gunnar and
Raihana would become romantically involved? Would that have been a
good or a bad thing? |
