The Noise of Time Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, The Cult of Personality and our BookBrowse Review of The Noise of Time.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Discuss the passage that opens The Noise of Time. How does this story set the tone for the novel? What indicators does it give about class and social politics in the Soviet Union?
2. The first line of Part I reads: "All he knew was that this was the worst time." Examine this statement. How does this sentiment echo throughout the novel? Consider Shostakovich's level of anxiety and fear in this passage as compared to what he feels during his interactions later in life with Power. How does he cope with these feelings?
3. Discuss the circumstances around the debut performance of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk. How did the presence of Stalin and his government officials create an environment of apprehension? How did the media work with the state to create a smear campaign against Shostakovich?

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