Book Club Questions for The Long Cloud by Hector MacKenzie

Capturing the anxious rhythm of life in the 20’s, The Long Cloud is a tender, often funny meditation on masculinity, beauty, and mortality that proves you might be able to go home, but you can never truly go back.

Use these discussion questions to engage with the book further, whether in a book club with friends or just on your own as you digest the story.

• Hector MacKenzie uses all lower case, no punctuation and short chapters. How did you find this writing style? Did it change the way you related to the narrator and how?

• Do you think The Long Cloud effectively portrays aspects of modern masculinity and how? What are your thoughts on Xander’s relationship with his father and the way he communicated with his friends?

• Mushroom bags have entered the chat! What did you like/dislike about Xander’s relationship with his mother?

• Could you understand Xander’s feelings about Jane and what about his interactions with Bambie?

• Youth and beauty were recurring themes through-out the book. What did you think about the way Xander was perceived and how he saw himself, as an ageing male model?

• Were you team Charlotte or team Tessa K? What were you’re thoughts about Xander and Charlotte?

• Ok we have to discuss the ending, obviously! What an ending. Thoughts?

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