Michelle's Blog

The Last Bookaneer by Matthew Pearl

Mystery Book Club

The Last Bookaneer Discussion Questions

1. What do you think of the shifting 1^st person narration?
2. Can you picture Mr. Fergins pushing his cart of books on the train and on the streets of New York?
3. Why do you think Clover is part of the story?
4. What do you think of Fergins account of his love affair with books?
5. Do the bookaneers sound like villains at the beginning?
6. What do you think of the language?
7. Do you like the quest for Robert Louis Stevenson?
8. Who is the most interesting character?
9. Why do you think Davenport wants a book of his adventures?
10. What do you think of the description of Samoa?
11. What genre do you think this book is?
12. Was the switch back to Clover jarring?
13. Who is the actual villain of the book?
14. Do the historical details seem realistic?
15. Was Davenport responsible for Charlie’s death?
16. What is the mystery?
17. What do you think of Robert Louis Stevenson?
18. What do you think of Vao?
19. Was the date twist a good one?
20. Did you expect Fergins to be living in Tonga?
21. Does the idea of a group of people in the South Seas memorizing books seem like any other books you’ve read?
22. Did you like the book?
23. Would you read more by the author?