1.   1. How would you describe Robin’s personality? Why do you think Robin has trouble at school? In what ways has his personality been shaped by his parents and experiences?

2.  2. What did you think of the character of Theo? In what ways do we see Theo struggle as a parent as he tries to raise Robin? In what ways do we see Theo succeed as he tries to raise Robin?

3.  3. What do you think this book says about grief? In what ways do we see the grieving process play out in Bewilderment?

4.  4. What role does religion play in Theo’s thinking?

5.  5. What role do the descriptions of the imaginary planets play in the book? Were there any planets that were particularly notable to you? Why do you think Robin likes hearing about these planets?

6.  6. Why do you think Theo agrees to let Robin drop out of school? What do you think about him allowing Robin to be Currier’s clips and the Ova Nova video? What do you think of his parenting decisions in general?

7.  7. What did you think of Robin’s transformation? How does he change, and why do you think he changes so suddenly?

8.  8. Why do you think Theo plays Flowers for Algernon for Robin? Why do you think Powers includes this in the novel?

9.  9. What role does the political situation described in the book play in the plot? Why do you think Richard Powers includes this aspect of the novel?

10 10. What do you think of the whole concept of finding proof of life elsewhere? Do you think it matters?

11 11. Why do you think Theo decides to

12 12. What did you think of the ending of the book? What do you think Currier means when he says “If you’d like to be with Robbie, you can be”? What do you think happens when they mirror the brain scans of another person? What do you think will happen after this point?