The Rent Collector

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Discuss your feelings about Soriyan as a character. Do you think her character was redeemed at the end? Or do you feel that more could have been done to make up for the cowardice and the exploitation she demonstrated throughout her life?
• How would you describe the genre of this novel? Is it historical? Literary? Or does it blend elements from multiple genres? Feel free to compare this to similar novels to discuss your answers.
• As this novel suggests, stories play a crucial role in upholding memories of the past. What has this novel revealed to you about parts of history you may or may not have known about? How do you feel about learning these details?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Have you or anyone you know ever dealt with a bully before? How did they choose to resolve their problems with that bully? Did that experience influence the way they engage with people now?
• What is a story that has deeply impacted your life? Explain why this story resonates with you and how it has empowered you to become a better version of yourself.