Rock Paper Tiger Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, A Quick Tour of Chinese Cities Found in Rock Paper Tiger and our BookBrowse Review of Rock Paper Tiger.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

ROCK PAPER TIGER READER’S GUIDE

1. Central to Rock Paper Tiger is the concept of the Surveillance State, in which one’s every move is observed. In what ways does Ellie believe she is being watched? To what extent are these beliefs rational? What are the different forms that surveillance takes? What are the similarities and differences between the Chinese and Western surveillance states?
   


2. Throughout the novel, flashbacks are used to show Ellie’s past. How does Ellie’s backstory illuminate what she’s going through in the present? How does her past influence her decisions?
   


3. What impact does Ellie’s economic situation have on the story? How does this affect her decision making? Similarly, how do the economic situations of Ellie’s mother and Trey affect their decisions?
   

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