The Disappearers Book Club Questions
10 discussion questions for The Disappearers by Marlon James.
October 18, 2026
Spoiler warning: some questions touch on how the book ends. Best read after you've finished it.
Discussion questions
- What were your first impressions of the eight men and their reasons for joining the play in Kingston?
- How does Marlon James use the setting of 1980s Kingston to enhance the story's tension and atmosphere?
- What did you think about the group's decision to continue with the play despite the threats they faced?
- How did the attack on the men change the dynamics within the group?
- Was there a particular character whose response to the attack resonated with you, and why?
- Do you think the novel effectively highlights the intersection of art and activism through the characters' involvement in the play?
- How does the structure of the book, alternating between rehearsal scenes and the characters' personal lives, affect your understanding of their experiences?
- In what ways do the characters' struggles with identity and acceptance reflect broader societal issues?
- Can you relate to any of the characters' experiences of hiding or revealing their true selves in your own life?
- What are your thoughts on the ending of the novel and the choices made by the characters in response to the violence they endured?
These questions were drafted with AI help for book clubs using Lapwing.
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