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Quick answer: Good book club questions for Son of a Trickster focus on family, survival and identity. Below are 17 questions grouped by theme, with a spoiler-free summary, a characters-and-themes table, meeting ideas and a sample 90-minute plan.
Quick facts
– Book: Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson
– First published: 2017
– Setting: Kitimat, British Columbia
– Content note: Drugs, violence and strong language
Son of a Trickster is a rewarding choice for a book club because it gives readers plenty to discuss without needing special knowledge. This guide gives you questions you can use as written or adapt for your group, plus ideas for running the meeting, so that a host with little time can still lead a good conversation.
Table of Contents
Spoiler-Free Summary
Jared, sixteen, lives in Kitimat with his tough, unpredictable mother, Maggie. He sells pot cookies to help pay the bills and look after his father. Strange things happen around him: animals talk to him and odd creatures appear. Jared learns he may be the son of Wee'git, the Trickster of Haisla stories.
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Main Characters and Themes
| Character or Theme | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Jared | A kind, struggling teen |
| Maggie | His fierce, unpredictable mother |
| Wee'git | The Trickster who may be his father |
| Theme: family | Caring for people who do not care for you |
Discussion Questions (Contains Spoilers)
These questions assume everyone has finished the book, so they discuss the ending. They are grouped by theme so you can move through them in order or jump to the topic your group cares about most. Feel free to rephrase them, add follow-up questions such as “why do you think so?” and skip any that do not suit your members.
Opening Reactions
- What was your first impression of Son of a Trickster, and did it change as you read?
- Which scene or passage stayed with you most, and why?
Jared
- Why does Jared keep taking care of others?
- How does Jared cope with his life?
- Which scene showed his kindness best?
- What did you think of Jared's choices?
Family
- How would you describe Maggie?
- Is Maggie a good mother in any way?
- How do Jared's grandmothers differ?
- What does family mean in the book?
The Supernatural
- How does Robinson mix realism and magic?
- What role do Haisla stories play?
- Did the supernatural parts work for you?
- Would you read the sequels?
Looking Back
- How did the ending of Son of a Trickster make you feel, and was it the ending you expected?
- Would you recommend this book to a friend, and what would you tell them first?
- If you could ask Eden Robinson one question, what would it be?
Meeting Ideas
Read a short Haisla or Pacific Northwest Trickster story beforehand to set the scene.
A simple way to start is to have each person share a one-sentence rating of the book before discussion begins. It surfaces disagreements early and gives quieter members a chance to speak first. You can also ask each member to bring one question of their own, which often leads to the best conversations of the night.
Ways to Make the Discussion Richer
- Compare formats. If a film, series or stage version of Son of a Trickster exists, discuss what changes and why.
- Share a favorite line. Ask each person to read a short passage that stood out and explain what it meant to them.
- Cast the book. Ask the group who they would cast in the main roles, and why.
- Rate the pace. Ask where the book felt fastest or slowest, and whether the structure worked for them.
- Pair it with a snack or drink. Food connected to the story gives guests something to talk about before the formal discussion starts.
Tips for Leading the Discussion
- Prepare, but stay flexible. Pick a handful of questions in advance and let the group's reactions guide you.
- Invite quieter voices. Ask someone who has not spoken to share a favorite line or scene.
- Welcome disagreement. A lively debate about a character is a sign that the book is working.
- Return to the text. Ask members to point to a passage in Son of a Trickster that supports their view.
- Watch the clock. Move on when a question has run its course, and save extra questions for another time.
If your group has only an hour, choose one question from each theme and skip the rest.
Is Son of a Trickster a Good Book Club Pick?
Son of a Trickster suits groups open to dark humor and magic. It has strong language and drug use.
Books Like This One
- Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice: an Anishinaabe community in crisis
- Five Little Indians by Michelle Good: survivors of residential schools
How to Structure Your Meeting
A 90-minute meeting works well in four parts:
- Welcome and quick ratings (10 minutes). Settle in and share a one-line reaction.
- Spoiler-free talk (20 minutes). Start with characters, setting and style before the plot.
- Spoiler discussion (45 minutes). Work through three or four of the questions above, letting the conversation wander when it is productive.
- Wrap-up (15 minutes). Share favorite lines, choose the next book and thank the host.
If the conversation is going well, it is fine to let it run long and skip some questions.
After the Meeting
Send a short follow-up message with the next title, the date and a link to any readings or articles that came up. Some groups keep a simple record of books read and ratings, which makes it easier to choose future picks and spot the kinds of books the group loves most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions should we prepare for Son of a Trickster?
Five to eight is enough for a 90-minute meeting. This guide gives seventeen, so you can choose the ones that fit your group.
Does Son of a Trickster work as a first pick for a new book club?
Son of a Trickster suits groups open to dark humor and magic.
Is it a series?
Yes, the Trickster trilogy.
Is there a TV series?
Yes, Trickster (2020).
Are there spoilers in this guide?
The questions after the summary discuss the ending.
What if some members have not finished Son of a Trickster?
Start with the spoiler-free questions and a short plot recap, then move to the spoiler section only when most people have finished.