This Is Not Civilization   by Robert Rosenberg
	QUESTIONS This book is about cultural alienation, about individuals who are not at home in their own cultures. How do the characters embody this theme? What is Jeff looking for? What is he running away from? How about Adam? How do people’s assumptions about others, based on national or ethnic characteristics, play out in the book? How are the themes of hospitality, friendship and loyalty dealt with in the book? Jeff chooses to work for humanitarian organizations. His job is to improve people’s lives. Does he help or harm them? Jeff is the central character at the beginning of the book, but the focus gradually shifts, and Jeff moves to the background as other characters move to the forefront. Why do you think the author does this? What is the effect? How are the situations of the women in the 3 countries (U.S., Kyrgyzstan, Turkey) similar? How do the characters in the different settings struggle with their desire to maintain traditions versus their wish for modernity? Is it possible to have both, or must old ways always be destroyed for there to be progress? When Nazira has a chance to tell Jeff the truth, why does she choose not to? At the end of the book, which character’s actions surprised you the most? What is the meaning of the title? Questions compiled by Suzanne Fisher (fisher@uhls.lib.ny.us)

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