1) Discuss the character of Kazuo. How do economics impact him throughout the story, and how are his financial problems tied to his status as an immigrant and the fact that he is mixed race (Brazilian-Japanese)? What does his character's story reveal about Japanese society?
2) Discuss Satake--what leads him to kill? What beliefs and values in the culture has he internalized that (arguably) lead him, in part, to committing his crimes?
3) One of the things Kirino does really well is create sympathy for characters who are often demonized, including killers and stalkers. She also does an excellent job of showing how socio-political conditions are directly tied to criminal activity. In what ways does she create sympathy for Kazuo and Satake?
4) What is your ultimate interpretation of the title of the novel? What does it symbolize? (There are multiple ways of looking at it; please consider at least two).
5) Now that you have finished the book, how do you feel about the women's crimes? Discuss Yayoi's murder of her husband, the cover-up, and Masako & Co's disposal of the body and business plans thereafter (perhaps you feel differently about each of these things).
6) What is the horror at the heart of the novel?
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