That Reminds Me

This is the story of K. If you believe your life to be as fictitious as K's, if you find yourself within the pages of this book, then you are holding the pen and not me.

Attachments are broken at birth. Shards slide apart. K: a child put into foster care, a boy brought back to the city, a man who must fight to make sense of his past. Is there hope to be found in a broken mind? Can the pieces of a life come together to reveal an image that's steady? Episodic, fragmented, full of poetry's coiled power, That Reminds Me is the story of one young man remembering. It's an entreaty to a lost culture, and a fight for love, for family, and for the respite of fixed identity. And in its searing and delicate questionings -of belonging, addiction, sexuality, violence, mental health, and religion--That Reminds Me firmly places Derek Owusu amongst the brightest British writers of today.

These book club questions were prepared by Bookclubs staff

Book club questions for That Reminds Me by Derek Owusu

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

How does K's experience in foster care in rural Suffolk shape his sense of identity and belonging? Discuss the contrast between his life there and his later life in Tottenham.

The novel uses Anansi, the trickster god from West African folklore, as a framing device. How does this cultural element enhance the storytelling and themes of the book?

Owusu employs a fragmented, poetic writing style. How does this stylistic choice reflect K's mental state and his struggle to piece together his identity?

Discuss the significance of K's difficulties with handwriting and speech therapy as a child. How do these early struggles with self-expression foreshadow his later challenges?

How does the novel portray the complexities of being a British Ghanaian in 1990s London? Consider aspects like language, food, and cultural expectations.

The book touches on K's exploration of his sexuality and masculinity. How does Owusu handle these themes, and what pressures does K face in defining himself?

Analyze the role of K's biological family, particularly his mother and younger brother, in shaping his sense of self and belonging.

The novel deals unflinchingly with mental health issues, including self-harm and alcoholism. How did Owusu's portrayal of these topics affect you as a reader?

Discuss the significance of the Tottenham Riots of 2011 in the context of K's story. How does this event reflect broader themes in the novel?

How does K's relationship with literature, particularly his connection to "The Color Purple," influence his understanding of himself and others?

The novel is described as semi-autobiographical. How does this blend of fiction and potential reality impact your reading experience?

Discuss the role of music, particularly the grime scene, in the novel. How does it reflect K's environment and experiences?

How does Owusu portray the impact of displacement and cultural disconnection on K's mental health and sense of identity?

Analyze the significance of the title "That Reminds Me" in relation to the novel's themes of memory, identity, and storytelling.

The book has been praised for its raw honesty in depicting Black British masculinity. How does Owusu challenge or reinforce traditional notions of masculinity through K's character?

That Reminds Me Book Club Questions PDF

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