1. The premise of The Power seems to be
that if a new world order were created—with women in charge—it would
look little different from the way it does now. That woman would use
their power to oppress men. Do you agree with that premise? Does Naomi
Alderman make her case convincingly? Do you see other possibilities?
2. Follow-up to Question 1: The book poses a question: why do
people abuse power? What does the book suggest the answer is? What is
your answer?
3. As an interesting exercise, go through the novel to identify those
societal structures, both legitimate and criminal, that have been
changed by feminine power. Look at how the book treats religion, the
military, sex trafficking and porn, harassment, even bullying. What does
the new power inversion say about the way gender and sexuality operates
in "normal" society (i.e., today in the early 21st century)?
4. In what ways does each of the four characters—Eve, Roxy, Tunde, and
Margot—illuminate the events of the novel and all that has changed?
Whose perspective or story do you find most interesting … or revealing …
or engaging?
5. What do you make of Neil Adam Armon and his gushing letter to Naomi
Alderman, "I am so grateful you could spare the time," and "Sorry, I'll
shut up now"? If you are a woman, does that tone, do those words, have a
familiar ring? Also, what's the joke here about appropriation, given
that Alderman's name, not Neil's, ends up on the novel? (If you haven't
already, play around with the letters of Neil's name.)
6. Vogue reviewer, Bridget Read (really), calls parts of the book
"revenge porn." Do you agree with her label? Do you find the revenge
satisfying or twisted … or both?
7. Neil ponders: "Gender is a shell game. What is a man? Whatever a
woman isn't. What is a woman? Whatever a man is not. Tap on it and it's
hollow. Look under the shells: It's not there." What does Neil mean, and
do you agree or disagree? How do you see gender? Is it "real" or a
social construct?
8. The novel: bleak or hopeful?
* Some questions from
LitLovers.
