Reading guide for One Child by Mei Fong

Reading Guide Questions

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. What makes this book distinctive?
2. This book is made up of stories of many people feeling the effects of the one-child policy, from parents made childless by the death of their only child, to bachelor villages, to people who courageously opposed the policy, and the rocket scientists who drew it up. Was there a specific story that had left an impression, good or bad? Share the story and its effect.
3. Did your earlier opinions about the one-child policy change after reading this book? Where there aspects of the policy that you were not aware of, prior to reading the book?
4. After reading the book, has your interest been piqued about the subject matter? If so, would you consider reading more on the topic in the future?
5. Did the author cover both sides of the topic fairly and thoroughly or did the book appear to be biased, solely written to promote the author's own agenda?
6. Do you think there were any universal themes or topics highlighted in the book that would be of interest to people not in China? If so, what were they?
7. The author weaves in her own personal story as a way to make the book more accessible to Western readers. Did this approach work?
8. Some of the issues the writer tackles-- the aging issue, or the question of eugenics and genetic enhancements—are speculative and forward looking. Do you think her approach and conclusions are valid? Are there other issues that you feel were not adequately covered in the book?
9. What is your one takeaway from reading the book?

Questions provided by the Author and issued by Monterey County Free Libraries of California. Please feel free to use them, online or off, with attribution.

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