Voorheesville Public Library

QUESTIONS

When he first meets Maria, Carlos Bluhm is physically attracted to her. Do his feelings for her change once he gets to know her? Why does he want a sustained relationship with her instead of a one night stand, as is his habit?
Is Bluhm infatuated, obsessed, or in love?
What is missing from his life that he needs to fill with Maria?
The novel is set in Peru, a macho culture where men can have it all - mistresses, devoted wives and families. Do Bluhm and his friends seem satisfied with their lives?
At the Christmas party Bluhm’s friends warn him to end his relationship with Maria. Isn’t this ironic, considering their own infidelities? What are they afraid of?
What words and phrases does Bluhm use to describe Maria?
What does Maria want?
The whites in Lima live in comfortable neighborhoods guarded by armed police. How does living with the constant threat of crime and terrorism affect them? How does this social disorder affect the poor?
Bluhm’s father and grandfather were prominent wealthy leaders of Lima society. How does he see himself as compared to them?
How are the life lessons Maria and her brothers learned from their father different from those Bluhm had from his father?
How are Maria’s and Bluhm’s actions and feelings controlled by their pasts and their families’ pasts?
Why does Oscar take an interest in Maria? Is he sincerely trying to help her?
How does Dorotea excuse her son’s behavior?
How does Bluhm excuse his own behavior? Why does he have so little understanding of people, including himself?
What is the role of magic in the novel?
What does Bluhm learn from Señor Juan?
Why is Maria unable to be open with Bluhm about her feelings?
Is Maria a victim? Who are the victims in this story?
Who is the strange man who lives by the sea?

Questions compiled by Suzanne Fisher (fishers@uhls.lib.ny.us)


	Lima Nights by Marie Arana
	QUESTIONS When he first meets Maria, Carlos Bluhm is physically attracted to her. Do his feelings for her change once he gets to know her? Why does he want a sustained relationship with her instead of a one night stand, as is his habit? Is Bluhm infatuated, obsessed, or in love? What is missing from his life that he needs to fill with Maria? The novel is set in Peru, a macho culture where men can have it all - mistresses, devoted wives and families. Do Bluhm and his friends seem satisfied with their lives? At the Christmas party Bluhm’s friends warn him to end his relationship with Maria. Isn’t this ironic, considering their own infidelities? What are they afraid of? What words and phrases does Bluhm use to describe Maria? What does Maria want? The whites in Lima live in comfortable neighborhoods guarded by armed police. How does living with the constant threat of crime and terrorism affect them? How does this social disorder affect the poor? Bluhm’s father and grandfather were prominent wealthy leaders of Lima society. How does he see himself as compared to them? How are the life lessons Maria and her brothers learned from their father different from those Bluhm had from his father? How are Maria’s and Bluhm’s actions and feelings controlled by their pasts and their families’ pasts? Why does Oscar take an interest in Maria? Is he sincerely trying to help her? How does Dorotea excuse her son’s behavior? How does Bluhm excuse his own behavior? Why does he have so little understanding of people, including himself? What is the role of magic in the novel? What does Bluhm learn from Señor Juan? Why is Maria unable to be open with Bluhm about her feelings? Is Maria a victim? Who are the victims in this story? Who is the strange man who lives by the sea? Questions compiled by Suzanne Fisher (fishers@uhls.lib.ny.us)