READERS GUIDE

In order to provide reading groups with the most informed and thought-provoking questions possible, it is sometimes necessary to reveal certain aspects of the storyline. If you have not finished reading, you may want to do so before reviewing this guide. 

Questions and Topics for Discussion

1. Maliktu first sees Pitseolala as he attempts to hunt a seal. What is the significance of her appearing at that moment?

2. In what ways does Constable Veronica Aningmiuq’s past shape her character and influence her career choice?

3. In what ways does the visiting preacher bring hope to the Cape Dorset community, and how might his visit indirectly cause harm?

4. Kempt writes “a group of ravens is collectively known as an unkindness.” What do the ravens symbolize in the novel, and how do they contribute to its themes or atmosphere?

5. Maliktu hears music coming from the hills that gradually becomes more constant throughout the novel. What might the music represent, and why does it intensify as the story progresses?

6. What role does Cole’s fractured relationship with his daughter play in his overall character arc, and is the outcome satisfying?

7. Is the haunting plaguing Cole real or psychological?

8. In what ways, if any, is Cole redeemed by the novel’s conclusion, and in what ways does his pursuit of justice fall short?