Empire of Wild

What is the significance of Joan and Victor having an argument about selling her land right before he disappears? How does the nature of this argument relate to broader themes within the novel and to the history of Indigenous peoples in North America more generally?

Within the novel’s plot, Joan functions as the hero figure, with Ajean and Zeus as her sidekicks and helpers. In what ways does Joan embody traditional characteristics of a hero? In what ways is she unusual as a heroic figure?

How does the novel depict Christianity and religious beliefs? How do different characters (e.g., Heiser, Victor, Cecile, Ajean) connect to their faith or lack thereof? How do these depictions relate to some of the novel’s key themes?

Consider the figure of Ajean. In what ways does Ajean embody tradition, and in what ways is she a very modern figure? How does Ajean reflect the role of elders in Indigenous communities?

Sexuality and sexual relationships play a minor, but important, role in the novel’s plot and characterization. What is the significance of sex and sexuality in the novel?

To what extent can Empire of Wild be considered a horror novel? Who or what is depicted as a monster within the novel? How is the figure of the rogarou different from, or similar to, the European myth of the werewolf or other monster figures like vampires?

How are Indigenous identity and culture depicted in the novel? How does the author’s use of certain narrative techniques, such as magical realism and Indigenous folklore, help to explore the nuances of the modern Indigenous experience?

How is modern Western culture depicted in the novel? What are the similarities and differences between Western cultural and social practices and those of the Indigenous characters?