Johnson chooses to organize the novel into entries in a logbook. Discuss his possible reasons for choosing this format and the impact of this choice on the experience of reading the novel.

Discuss Rutherford Calhoun’s development as a character. What is he like at the start of the novel? How does he change? What experience or people have the biggest impact on him?

Compare and contrast Rutherford and Ngonyama. How do their experiences and worldviews compare?