The Night Climbers Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Nocturnal Climbing at Cambridge University and our BookBrowse Review of The Night Climbers.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

About This Book

A novel of startling intensity, The Night Climbers is the riveting story of a secret league at Cambridge -- a group of young daredevils who test their limits in a variety of ways, including scaling the university's towering architecture after dark. Recalling his induction into the group as a first-year student, James Walker describes the seductive power of these alluring new friends. As their crimes escalate from the realm of misdemeanors, James finds himself testing not only the limits of his bravado but also the limits of his heart, immersed in a love triangle with breathtakingly beautiful Jessica and mastermind Francis. When Francis's father suddenly disinherits him, the Night Climbers must look for new sources of funding, plotting a brilliant heist that could either destroy their lives or forever liberate them from the ordinary world.

Showcasing the gifts of a fiercely talented young writer, The Night Climbers is both a page-turner and a rich exploration of the bounds of loyalty and love. We hope the following guide will enhance your experience of this mesmerizing novel.


Topics and Questions for Discussion

1. How did your opinion of the characters shift throughout the novel, especially your attitude toward James and Francis? Which of your initial assumptions proved to be false?
2. What drew Michael to James? Was James inducted into the Night Climbers because he created the illusion that he fit the criteria, or because Michael knew that he really wasn't like the other members?
3. Discuss the novel's title. Besides their literal climbing, what other daring heights did the group aspire to reach? What might have compelled the campus's real-life climbers throughout history to perform their legendary expeditions? Is it simply a reflection of a quest for an adrenaline rush, or does it mean something more?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Simon Spotlight Entertainment. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.