Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for The Island of Last Things by Emma Sloley

1. Discuss the novel's title. What do you think the "last things" are in this story, and what does that mean to you?
2. Early on in the novel, Camille and Sailor discuss the purpose of the zoo: Sailor calls it "the animal kingdom's last stand," while Camille defends the zoo, saying they are "giving the animals a future." Why do you think each character has their particular viewpoint? Do you agree with one of them more? If so, why?
3. Describe Camille and Sailor's relationship. How are the two similar, and how are they different? Why do you think Camille was so immediately drawn to Sailor?
4. When guests arrive to take tours at the Alcatraz Zoo, they are dressed in particular costumes such as "pith helmets with multipocketed khaki vests" and "leopard-print trousers with binoculars." Why do you think the zoo has this dress code? What kind of commentary is the novel making about the performance of animal spectating?
5. During a discussion about how all of the zookeepers at Alcatraz are apathetic about their jobs, Sailor remarks: "[it's] that doomer mentality. It's a virus that takes hold when a generation feels like there's no future. They retreat into their games and psychedelics and whatever else takes their mind off it. A kind of mass dissociation." What do you think she means? Why do you think Sailor and Camille are different?
6. What do you think the world outside the zoo is like? Do you think people like Sailor and Camille came to Alcatraz to escape the outside world, because they believe in the work, or both?
7. Sailor educates Camille on the difference between anthropomorphism, ascribing human emotions or characteristics to an animal, and umwelt, the idea that each animal experiences the world in its own unique way that humans might not be able to fully comprehend. Why do you think this differentiation is important in the context of the novel?
8. Discuss the relationship between Joseph and Sailor and how it evolves over the course of the novel. In what ways are they more similar than you might initially think?
9. The characters in the book often disagree about the morality of animal captivity. However, all of them are also being held captive at Alcatraz—none of them seem to ever leave the zoo, and they're alienated from their lives before becoming zookeepers. Do you think the humans at Alcatraz have more freedom and mobility than the animals? Why or why not?
10. During one conversation, Sailor tells Camille: "promise me you'll start imagining a better world than this one." What role might imagination have in liberation and freedom? Do you think the sanctuary is real? Why or why not?
11. Discuss the use of flashbacks in the book. How do they deepen our understanding of the characters, especially Sailor?
12. What did you think of the ending of the book? Do Camille's viewpoints and morals change from the beginning of the story to the end? What do you think the future holds for her?
13. What did you think of Sailor's final decision? Did that act read as a moment of sacrifice or hopelessness to you?
14. Do you think this is a dystopian novel? In what ways does the universe in the book echo our contemporary world, and in what ways does it feel different?

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