To be discussed on February, 4, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
Outraged over the mounting Social Security debt, Cassandra Devine, a charismatic 29-year-old blogger and member of Generation Whatever, incites massive cultural warfare when she politely suggests that Baby Boomers be given government incentives to kill themselves by age 75. Her modest proposal catches fire with millions of citizens, chief among them "an ambitious senator seeking the presidency." With the help of Washington's greatest spin doctor, the blogger and the politician try to ride the issue of euthanasia for Boomers (called "transitioning") all the way to the White House, over the objections of the Religious Right, and of course, the Baby Boomers, who are deeply offended by demonstrations on the golf courses of their retirement resorts.
A story about the social security crisis in America, and one woman's novel approach to solving it. Woven into the story is a tale of politics, personal greed, corruption and the indignation of the younger generation - the one that gets stiffed with the bill when the boomers pull a runner.
1. What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?
2. What specific themes did the author emphasize throughout the novel? What do you think he or she is trying to get across to the reader?
3. Do the characters seem real and believable? Did your opinions about any of the characters change over the course of the novel? How do characters change or evolve throughout the story?
4. In what ways do the events in the book reveal evidence of the author’s world view?
5. Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? Why? Did this lead to a new understanding of some aspect of your life you may not have thought about before?
6. I there a part of the novel you didn’t understand? Are you confused by a character’s actions or the outcome of an event?
7. What is your favorite passage?
8. Why do you think the author chose the title? Is there significant meaning behind it?
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