The Dream Hotel

What were your first impressions of Sara? How did your perception of her character evolve throughout the novel?

At one point, Sara questions whether she might have a hidden potential for violence. How does the novel explore the gap between our dreams and our conscious intentions?

Discuss the relationship between Sara and her husband Elias. How does their connection change during her detention? What does this suggest about relationships under extreme pressure?

The author both reveals and hides the perspectives of both the detained and the enforcers of detainment. Which character outside of Sara did you find most compelling, and why?

"The data doesn't lie." "It doesn't tell the truth, either." Discuss this exchange from the novel. How does Lalami explore the limitations of data and algorithms in understanding human behavior?

The novel depicts a system where people are profiled and punished for potential future actions rather than past behaviors. What ethical questions does this raise? Where do you stand on the balance between security and freedom?

How effectively does Lalami build her near-future world? Which aspects felt most plausible to you, and which required more suspension of disbelief?

The retention center where Sara is held was formerly an elementary school. What significance might this repurposing hold? What other details about the setting did you find particularly effective?

"The Dream Hotel" has been compared to works like Kafka's "The Trial" and Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale." What similarities do you see? How does Lalami's approach differ?

The Dreamsaver device offers a solution to Sara's sleep deprivation as a new mother. What other technologies in the novel promise convenience but come with hidden costs? Can you think of similar examples in our current world?

How did the novel change your perspective on current technologies and privacy concerns? Has it made you reconsider any of your own technology usage?

The novel explores how prisoners find ways to resist and maintain their humanity. Which acts of resistance in the book did you find most meaningful or powerful?

Were you surprised by the ending? What do you think the novel ultimately suggests about human resilience and the possibility of resistance in oppressive systems?