The Secret Speech Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Vory Tattoos - the mark of a Soviet fraternity of criminals and our BookBrowse Review of The Secret Speech.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Zoya and Elena's true parents were killed by an officer under Leo's command. Do you think Leo was morally required to take care of them?
2. When Leo was a member of the state security force, it was his job to arrest many of his fellow citizens. To what degree should he be held responsible for his past actions, even though he was doing his duty and following orders?
3. How do you think the political atmosphere and the role of women in society affected Fraera's transformation from a priest's wife to a vory leader?

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