The Magic Fish Book Club Questions

Discussion questions

1. How do the fairytales Tiến reads with his parents influence the way he sees his own life and struggles?
2. What role does the local library play in Tiến's life and his relationship with his parents?
3. How does Tiến's mother use her memories of Vietnam to connect with the stories they read together?
4. Was Tiến right to keep his secret about being gay from his parents for as long as he did?
5. Why do you think Tiến chooses to express himself through fairytales instead of directly telling his parents about his feelings?
6. Discuss the significance of language barriers in the book and how they affect Tiến's communication with his parents.
7. How do you think the story would change if it was told from Tiến's mother's perspective?
8. What do you think about the way the graphic novel blends illustrations with narrative to convey complex themes?
9. Have you ever found comfort or understanding in stories during difficult times in your own life, similar to Tiến?
10. Do you believe Tiến's journey towards a "happy ending" is realistic or more of a fairytale itself?