- What do you think is the most compelling characteristic of North Korea as Johnson imagines it?
- What role does personal identity play in this novel?
- Why is storytelling so important in The Orphan Master's Son?
- How is the concept of freedom defined by the characters? By the author? How about other big concepts, like love?
- How do the characters preserve their personal dignity in this work?
- In what ways does the state attempt to quash or define the identity of individual citizens?
- How are we meant to think about things like loyalty and personal desire in this book, especially since they are so problematic in the society depicted?
- In what ways is this book a love story?
- How does the novel define heroism? Is Jun Do a hero? What about Sun Moon?
- How does propaganda shape the way the characters see the world? Make sure you consider all characters—not just the North Korean ones.