The Memory of an Elephant

Were the characteristics of the elephants presented in this book believable? Which ones did you find most intriguing?

Were you put off by the brutal poaching scene near the beginning that sets Ishi's life on its journey? Was the violence necessary?

What did you think about the author’s writing style? For example, Ishi’s commentary being italicized, chapters going back and forth between humans and animals, and through different time periods?

Who were your favorite characters (human or animal)? Was there any human character in this story that you would have liked to have gotten to know better?

Were you surprised by how gruesome the death of Gichinga by Ishi was? Did you feel that Ishi should have been more “humane” or that Ishi rendered what was deserved?

Was the death experience of Ishi what you have heard or imagined death to be like?

Will you ever visit a zoo again? A wild animal park? Did the book influence your feelings about killing and eating animals?