READERS GUIDE

1. What does the Night of Power mean to each of the three main characters? What does “power” mean to each character?

2. Discuss the flashbacks throughout the book – how does the past influence the present?

3. Why is it so hard for Ashif to communicate with his parents? Would his life have been different if he stayed in Calgary?

4. What does “diaspora” mean? 

5. Discuss the ways in which Mansoor and Ashif try to assimilate – do their attempts work out for them?

6. How does Layla change by the end of the story? Does she regain any power?

7. Is Shafina a role model? How do Layla and Shafina show strength in different ways?

8. Discuss the cycles of violence from generation-to-generation. Is it broken by the end of the story?

9. Discuss the idea of “home” – is this just a physical place?

10. Discuss the last page of the novel. Is the ending ambiguous? What do you think happens next?