I Cheerfully Refuse

Why do you think the author chose Lake Superior as the setting for the novel? Do you think the stormy waters of this lake represent anything thematically?

I Cheerfully Refuse can be seen as a character study of one man searching to regain the love and life that have been lost to him. What aspects of Rainy’s character did you find the most compelling or believable?

The novel is set in a near-future America, where society has collapsed and people have devolved to despairing and Wild West attitudes. Did you find this near-future believable? Are there any similarities to America in the present day?

The novel takes its title from a rare manuscript that Lark has been searching for a long time. Why do you think the author titled the book after the manuscript? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Developed from: https://gilmoreguidetobooks. com/2024/05/i-cheerfullyrefuse-by-leif-enger/ by Leif Enger

At the beginning of the novel, Rainy and Lark live happily with a simple life on the shores of Lake Superior. In what ways does the love they share inform the decisions that Rainy makes throughout the rest of I Cheerfully Refuse?

Leif Enger creates a very specific writing style in I Cheerfully Refuse, employing some poetic/lyrical elements. What are the benefits using this style? What are the downsides?

The novel takes inspiration from works of fiction such as The Iliad and The Odyssey. For those who are familiar with either of those two epic poems, what similarities do they share with I Cheerfully Refuse?

The author explores issues in the novel that are very present in America today, such as climate change, big Pharma, and banned books. Does his exploration of these topics in I Cheerfully Refuse deepen your understanding of any of them?

Some big questions in the book include what/who can be considered truly ‘good’ or ‘bad, ’ and how ‘humanity’ should be defined. Do you think the author presents any answers to these questions?