2666

Why do you think Bolaño chose to open 2066 with this epigraph from Baudelaire: “An oasis of horror in a desert of boredom”? How does it relate to some of the themes of the book?

Despite some of its heavy themes, there are elements of humor and of satire in 2066. What parts did you find the funniest?

Madness is a recurring theme in 2066, with multiple characters described as mad or being commited to asylums. What do you think the author was trying to say with these references to madness and asylums?

2666 centers a range of protagonists from across the globe, from the four European academics, to the Chilean Amalfitano, to the Black journalist Fate from New York City, to the Mexican detectives and victims in Santa Teresa, to the German author Archimboldi. What do these characters have in common? What differentiates them? What do you think Bolaño was trying to say about identity?

How does Bolaño create and build a growing sense of unease and foreboding leading up to the revelation of the murders in The Part About the Crimes?

The tone and structure of Part IV, The Part About the Crimes, is markedly different from the other four parts. It's also the longest section of the novel. How did Bolaño choose to describe the murders, and what is the effect of his authorial choices?

The novel centers the brutal murders of women in the fictional Santa Teresa. Would you call 2666 a feminist book? Why or why not?

Do you think Klaus Haas was guilty of any of the murders? What about the young men Klaus implicates? Who do you think was responsible for all of the killings? Was it a single serial killer or multiple murderers?  

Class distinctions are pronounced in 2666, particularly when it comes to the victims of the crimes, but also in the story of Archimboldi. How does Bolaño address the interplay between class and power?

2666 is full of violence, including the murders in Santa Teresa and the horrors of World War II. Discuss Bolaño's treatment of death and violence, as well as any parallels you think he may be trying to draw between what is happening in Mexico and WWII in Europe.

Bolaño initially intended to publish each of the five parts of this novel independently (though perhaps largely to generate more income to his family). Do you think each part can stand on its own? Which of the five parts do you think would make the best stand-alone novel?

What themes and motifs connect the five sections of the novel?

Bolaño describes the dreams of many characters. What do those dreams signify to the characters, and to the reader?

Many of the mysteries raised in the novel are never resolved. Were there any questions you particularly wanted answered? If you could ask Bolaño anything about this book, what would it be?

This novel was recently ranked #6 on The New York Times' list of best books of the 21st century. Do you agree with that placement? Why or why not?

No one is sure why Bolaño titled his work 2666. Do you have any ideas?