All the Men Are Gone

Kate has an idyllic life on a remote farm with her four daughters. She’s in love with her neighbor, Lucy. And she has never known a world with men.

All the men are gone. Their decline occurred over the course of generations, fewer boys born every year, until eventually, none were born at all. After the Waning Wars, the Governing Council promised there was a plan and seed stores to last.

But when an imprisoned old woman writes a deathbed revelation declaring she was mother of the last son, and he’d been stolen fifty years ago, it creates unrest in a civilization where men had become little more than myths.

Rumors of men—the last men—being held in secret, stirs a ragtag group of women to find them, bringing the battle for womankind’s future straight to Kate’s doorstep.

This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with DartFrog Books.

Book club questions for All the Men Are Gone by K.A. Claytor

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

What do you think society would be like in the absence of men? As it relates to home life? As it relates to infrastructure? As it relates to how society is governed?

If you were like Etta and discovered a previously unknown family member after your parent(s) passed, would you choose to contact them? Why or why not?

Kate killed a man. Odelia went to prison. Noemi left one child to keep her other child safe. Etta sacrificed herself for Kieva. Lucy considered death for herself and child to spare them from an questionable fate. What would you be willing to do any/all these things for someone you loved?

In the story, men had become myths, akin to unicorns or dodos. Imagine if there was a sudden discovery of -for example- unicorns. How would you feel about the discovery? How do you think society would react? What would be your reaction if you saw one outside your window like Kate did?

Noemi felt responsible for inciting a societal rebellion; was she? If not Noemi, then who?

In terms of choices made or reactions to events - which character do you relate to most? Which character was most difficult for you to empathize with? Why?

Considering Abe's experience of going from an 11-year-old birthday party into permanent confinement with adult men, what do you think Abe's point of view and experience was like?

The first time the men come, Lucy calls the overseer against Kate's wishes. What would you have done if you were Kate-or Lucy- and why?

What do you think the overseer- Evelyn Emmett's- involvement and responsibilities may have been regarding the discovery and acquisition of the men?

When Lucy's child is born, Gosena contacts the authorities. What would you have done in Lucy's position -or Gosena's- and why?

Who do you think was the hero of the story? Why?

Who do you think was the villain of the story? Why?

Of the point of view the primary characters-Kate, Lucy, Etta, Noemi (and secondarily Gosina), did they find redemption or resolution in their story? If so, how? If not, do you think they ever would?

What was Lucy's motivation behind building the treehouse and acquiring firearms- was it solely for the purpose of defense? A desire to protect Kate's children in absence of her own children? A demonstration of atonement for Kate?

Why do you think Lucy took Abe after he first arrived? What would you have done in that situation- leave him at Kate's? Offer shelter? Turn him in? Let him go?

What are some of the "near future" innovations you noted in the story? Are there any you want/ don't want to see in the present day?

What do you think caused the decline in the male population, and what factor may have caused them to start being born again?

In Kate and Lucy's situation, would you have forgiven the other person after years of distance within their relationship? Do you agree/disagree that saying sorry is enough?

Lucy is given an impossible choice when her first child is born, what would you have done? Give the baby over for the sake of humanity? End the child's life so it would have to suffer a fate like Abe's?

Do you think Abe was content with his life after Lucy, having his own (albeit restricted) place, wanting for nothing? Was he a "god"-caged like Lucy stated?

Evelyn states Lucy is a "vessel". The fate of humanity seemingly rested on Abe and Lucy. What do you think about what was asked of them? Was it fair? Should it have been done even if it wasn't fair?

All the Men Are Gone Book Club Questions PDF

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