Resurrection Bay
- Did you learn anything new by reading Resurrection Bay? Has it changed your ideas about anything, or confirmed them?
- Caleb is a resourceful and stubborn character; do you think this stubbornness is something that has helped him in life, or hindered him? Do you think his tenacity is solely due to his deafness, or have other factors influenced him?
- Although Caleb works hard at his lip-reading skills, he is most comfortable when using sign language. Why do you think he chooses to lip-read most of the time? Is there any significance to the people with whom he chooses to sign?
- Caleb’s deafness can sometimes make his life difficult, but do you think it can it also be beneficial to him at times?
- Kat tells Caleb ‘every time you open your mouth you’re trying to pass’. What does she mean by this? Do you agree with her?
- Do you feel that Kat’s experiences as an Indigenous woman parallel Caleb’s in any way?
- Do you feel that Caleb has changed by the end of the novel? If so, in what way? Has he learned anything about himself or the other people in his life? What about the other characters?
- Caleb and Kat obviously still harbour feelings for each other. Why do you think they separated? Do you feel there are any particular scenes that demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of their relationship? Do you think they might have a future together?
- Resurrection Bay has a diverse range of characters, and includes a number of Indigenous Australian characters. Why do you think the author chose to write characters with such a wide range of backgrounds?
- How does Resurrection Bay differ from other crime novels you’ve read? How is it similar?
- The setting of the novel moves between the relative anonymity of a big city, and a small country town where everybody seems to know Caleb. Why do you think the novel has such contrasting locations?
- Caleb and his brother, Anton, were once very close, playing tricks on the neighbours and signing in secret. Did you feel that their estrangement was Caleb’s fault or Anton’s? Was Caleb overly harsh towards his brother at times? Overly forgiving? Can you see an ongoing relationship between them, or will they drift apart again?
- Frankie tells Caleb that ‘There aren’t too many people in the world I love.’ Do you think that she really does love Caleb? How do you feel about Frankie?
- What kind of ideas or themes are explored in the novel? Are there any particular scenes you feel demonstrate them? Do you think the title reflects any of them?
- Is there a scene or passage that strikes you as particularly interesting or insightful? If so, why?
And Fire Came Down
- Did you learn anything new by reading And Fire Came Down? Has it changed your ideas about anything, or confirmed them?
- Why do you think Caleb is so driven to investigate Portia’s death?
- Caleb is a resourceful and stubborn character; do you think his stubbornness has helped him in life, or hindered him? Is his tenacity due to his deafness, or have other factors influenced him?
- The title, And Fire Came Down, is from the Old Testament. Why do you think the author chose this title?
- What are the main ideas or themes explored in And Fire Came Down? Are there any particular scenes that brought these ideas to your attention?
- Caleb often thinks about his father. What do you think Ivan Zelic was like? How do you think his personality affected Caleb?
- Caleb and Ant’s adult relationship is ‘a rickety construction built on a few honest moments and a memory of childhood closeness’. Do you think their relationship evolves throughout the novel? If so, in what way?
- Scars are mentioned throughout the novel, with Kat and the scar trees, do you think this has any significance? If so, in what way?
- Aunty Eileen repeatedly tells Caleb she doesn’t want his help. Why do you think she says this? How do you feel about Aunty Eileen? What do you think drives her?
- Imagery of death is present throughout the novel: pine forests are ‘living graveyards’ and a bikie has ‘tombstone teeth’. Did you notice any other examples? Why do you think the author chose to use this language?
- Ant has a long history of drug use and petty crime, but claims to have changed. Do think he has? How do you feel about Ant? What do you think the future holds for him?
- Caleb believes he feels nothing but anger for Frankie. Do you think this is true? How do you think Frankie feels about Caleb?
- Heat is a constant presence in And Fire Came Down. Why do you think the author chose to set the novel in the middle of a heatwave?
- Towards the end of the novel Kat tells Caleb she can’t fix his pain. Do think she’s right? What are Kat’s feelings towards Caleb? How do you feel about Kat?
- Do you think Caleb has changed by the end of the novel? If so, in what way?