A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think George begins to go insane? What is his spot of bother?
2. George grapples with the reality that every person will eventually die, and even that the earth and all life as he knows it will some day cease to exist. How does George cope with his existential thoughts and fears? Why do you think these thoughts do not upset more people? How do you cope with the reality that you will one day die? Where do you find meaning?
3. Do you think Ray is the wrong person for Katie to marry? What is your opinion of him?
4. Why does Jean have an affair with David? Do you think her marriage with George is saved in the end?
5. A Spot of Bother moves toward a wedding. Throughout the book, we hear what different characters think about love and marriage. Do you think it is wrong to marry for practical reasons, as Jamie believes Katie is doing with Ray? Which do you think will make people happier in the long run, following passion or living practically?
6. Do you think it was wrong for Jean to have an affair? How does Haddon get the reader to sympathize with her? Does she love David?
7. Jamie struggles with wanting to be a good person and have people like him. In what ways is he similar to George? In what ways is he similar to Katie? Does he ultimately find a way to live a fulfilling life through Tony?
8. How do the different members of the Hall family deal with the various ways the family is falling apart? Do they become closer or do their problems drive them apart? Do they love each other?
9. Was A Spot of Bother funny or depressing? Was anything resolved in the end? Is there any way to truly remove the spot of bother from life?
10. Rate A Spot of Bother on a scale of 1 to 10.