Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Here's the $10k question: Is there an argument about the future and technology here? Would you describe Rainbows End as hopeful or anxious about the future?
- Related question (let's say $5k): how do you feel when reading about the near future? Is it scary, strange, hopeful? Do you read about new technology and think "oh no" or "oh yes"? Do you find it distracting to read about technology so much? Is there any technology that you think Vernor Vinge missed that we will have in the future?
- How does Vernor Vinge describe the future world and all the gadgets in it? Does he describe things so that you could draw (or invent) them? Or does he describe things in a more vague way? (Also, if you were to talk about your life, how much would you describe the tech in your life? Would you just say "my smartphone" or would you describe it more?)
- Did you ever feel lost in this future world? Does Vinge want us to feel lost (like Robert) sometimes?
- Who is the main hero of this book? Is it Robert, who serves as our major touchstone character (that is, he's from our time experiencing the future—so he's just as new to all this as we are)? Who is the main villain? Is it Alfred Vaz, Rabbit, or some other character? Does the book take the side of any character?
- How do you feel about the different "POVs" in this book? Why do you think certain events get told through certain POVs?
- How does Vinge introduce new characters? Do the characters seem real (or realish) to you? Which character do you feel closest to? Which subplot do you feel is the most emotional or interesting? (Juan and Miri's growing friendship? Vaz's attempt to create mind control?)
- Robert starts out thinking that technology and art don't mix very well. And some people on Goodreads think that that's the argument of the book. Do you agree with him there? Does Robert change his opinion on art and technology? What about the Librareome Project or other book digitization schemes—yay or nay?
- Who is Rabbit? And how do you feel about the spies? Does the book show that military and intelligence agencies are useful?
- Does Alfred Vaz make a good case for why the world needs someone to help guide it?
- Does this future seem realistic to you? Would you like this future?