Lalani of the Distant Sea

Describe Hetsbi as a character. What is his greatest fault? What is his greatest virtue? How does he redeem himself by the end of the novel?

How does the novel define life? Is absolute good or absolute evil possible? Why or why not?

How does Drum’s character fit into the culture of Sanlagita? How does he believe his people will rise out of their misery? Is he right? What is the source of his undoing?

Compare and contrast Sanlagita and Isa. Is either one exactly as its inhabitants view it? In what ways does duality exist in each location?

How is Ellseth different from the other mindoren? What is his perception of Fei Diwata? How does his character color his perception of her?

Describe the ways in which smallness is devalued in the novel. How does Lalani’s perception of her own smallness work against her? How is The Power in Smallness demonstrated in the novel?

Discuss how the osnoom petals drive the plot forward from the beginning to the end of the novel. Why does Fei Diwata decide to share these with Lalani?

The prologue suggests that ordinary people can decide to define themselves as heroes. What is the Sanlagitan definition of a hero? How does Lalani fail to fit this model? Is she heroic in the end? Why or why not?