Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: Good book club questions for The Blind Assassin focus on sisterhood, secrets and storytelling. 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: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
– First published: 2000
– Setting: Port Ticonderoga, Ontario, and Toronto, from the 1930s to the 1990s
– Content note: Suicide, sexual abuse and war
The Blind Assassin 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
“Ten days after the war ended, my sister Laura drove a car off a bridge.” So begins the memoir of Iris Chase Griffen, now an old woman. She tells of her privileged childhood, her marriage to a wealthy businessman and her sister Laura's tragic life. Woven through are chapters from Laura's posthumous novel, The Blind Assassin, about two secret lovers who tell each other a science fiction story.
Check price of The Blind Assassin on Amazon
Main Characters and Themes
| Character or Theme | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Iris Chase Griffen | The elderly narrator |
| Laura Chase | Her younger sister |
| Richard Griffen | Iris's powerful husband |
| Alex Thomas | A young radical |
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 The Blind Assassin, and did it change as you read?
- Which scene or passage stayed with you most, and why?
The Sisters
- How do Iris and Laura differ?
- Why did Laura die?
- Can Iris be trusted as a narrator?
- What does Iris owe Laura?
The Stories
- How do the three stories connect?
- What does the science fiction tale mean?
- When did you guess the truth?
- Why tell the story this way?
Power
- How does Richard control Iris?
- What does the book say about women's choices?
- Why did it win the Booker?
- Did the ending satisfy you?
Looking Back
- How did the ending of The Blind Assassin 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 Margaret Atwood one question, what would it be?
Meeting Ideas
Ask members to track the three story layers on a chart as they discuss.
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 The Blind Assassin 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 The Blind Assassin 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 The Blind Assassin a Good Book Club Pick?
The Blind Assassin is long and layered, ideal for groups who like puzzles.
Books Like This One
- Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood: a historical mystery
- Atonement by Ian McEwan: a novel about sisters and guilt
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 The Blind Assassin?
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 The Blind Assassin work as a first pick for a new book club?
The Blind Assassin is long and layered, ideal for groups who like puzzles.
Did it win the Booker?
Yes, in 2000.
Is it long?
About 520 pages.
Are there spoilers in this guide?
The questions after the summary discuss the ending.
What if some members have not finished The Blind Assassin?
Start with the spoiler-free questions and a short plot recap, then move to the spoiler section only when most people have finished.