The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon

How does the idea of obsession change the perspective of modern scholars on Fawcett’s expeditions and theories?

Is Grann’s narrative a reliable one? How does his exploration of the topic demonstrate a good scholarly work? How does it fail?

Fawcett considers himself a renegade from civilization. Describe the aspects of Fawcett’s life and personality that support this perception of himself. Did these characteristics help or hinder his quest to find Z?

Both Fawcett and Grann are white Western men. Choose an alternative perspective on the story—Fawcett’s wife, a citizen of Brazil, or an Indigenous tribe member—and describe how the story might be different from Fawcett’s or Grann’s.

Aside from Fawcett and Grann, whom do you consider the most important figure in the book and why?

One of the book’s major themes entails a contrast between old and new, ancient and modern. In what ways does the world of 1925 differ from the world of Fawcett’s youth?

The search for a lost city is largely an objective pursuit, yet Grann spends a lot of time discussing Fawcett’s character and personal history. How does Fawcett’s character and background affect his ability to successfully complete his expeditionary goals?

For most of the book, Grann alternates between his own story and Fawcett’s. What do you consider the strengths and weaknesses of Grann’s narrative approach?