Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about Terrorist by John Updike. Finish the book before reading on.
- The opening sentences of Terrorist are "Devils, Ahmad thinks. These devils seek to take away my God." The last sentence of Terrorist is "These devils, Ahmad thinks, have taken away my God." Why does Updike bookend the novel with these parallel thoughts? Who are the "devils?" Are they different at the beginning and end of the book? How do they take away Ahmad's God?
- Mr. Levy is an atheist who is very aware of his aging body and seems cynical about whether there is any meaning in life. How else does Mr. Levy contrast Ahmad? Why does Updike spend so much time on Mr. Levy's story in a novel entitled "Terrorist?"
- What is Ahmad's view of sex and materialism in America? Mr. Levy's view? How does Updike describe sex and materialism through the images he uses?
- Updike's descriptive language takes readers into different characters' minds and provides a bigger picture of situations than would be evident through the action alone. Did any specific descriptions stick with you?
- How would you summarize the way different characters are portrayed? (Ahmad, Mr. Levy, Beth, Terry, Hermione, Charlie, etc.).
- How is Ahmad different from the other terrorists, such as the imam and the technicians?
- How is Ahmad different from Charlie? What does he like and admire about Charlie? Did Charlie seem like a terrorist? Were you surprised that he was working for the CIA?
- Why was Ahmad attracted to Joryleen? Why does he leave his reward money to her?
- How is religion portrayed in Terrorist? What is Ahmad's view of God? Mr. Levy's? How is Ahmad's worship different than that at Joryleen's church?
- Did Terrorist give you any new insights into America's "War on Terror?"
- Rate Terrorist on a scale of 1 to 5.
