- Why do you think the author writes the story in first person narrative? How does Hassan telling us his own story add to our experience of his journey?
- Think about the theme of family throughout the novel. How is Hassan's upbringing carried through his lifetime and how does it make him who he is?
- What do the two cultures (Indian and French) add to the story? Why do you think the author chose such different backdrops for his character's life?
- Is food the main theme of the novel? Or is our story mainly about family? Culture?
- How could we compare this coming-of-age story to others of its kind? How is it similar or different?