Introduction
The Contractor is the first novel to address the issue of American secret prisons in the war on
terror. It's not a story of politicians. It's about people on the ground, trying to make sense.
George Young is a devoted family man and Gulf War veteran who, when a hometown business
venture flops, accepts work as a contracted civilian interrogator for the U.S. government.
Soon he's overseas at a secret holding facility for suspected terrorists, a place called Omega.
When a detainee dies in George's hands during a "routine" interrogation, George embarks on a
painful journey of self-interrogation and discovery. In order to defend his country and his family,
must George betray his humanity?
Excerpt
Who are you?
Those were his last words. He had nothing to say about Zizoo. Then it seemed he gave up. Caught
us all by surprise—Bertie, Jamal and me. You wonder. His wet hair plastered slick on his head, his
eyelids fluttered. Gripping one of his arms below the bicep, I felt a tremor. Bertie felt it, too. Then he
was gone. ...view entire excerpt...
Discussion Questions
1. How does George’s relationship with his son Christopher compare to his attitude toward his work?
2. How does Bethany deal with her situation? What seems to be the general attitude toward women
on this island?
3. According to George, why is Jamal’s job so difficult? What does it mean that Bertie is a "Beatle"?
4. Why is the story of Cain and Abel mentioned? How might it reflect on George’s personal
situation?
5. How seriously should one take the Doctor? Is he simply a figure of fun?
6. What does George learn from Laurent about "Zizoo"? Why does this disturb him?
7. George’s encounter with Denise is a mistake and full of mishaps, but why does he behave this
way?
8. What has changed in George's relationship with Vernon? Will the brothers ever be the same?
9. What does George learn from Miss Breese? For her, what makes an action precious?
10. What does George confess to Bertie? Why? What do his confessions reveal about the reliability
of such interrogation methods?
11. If George never finds out the truth about “Zizoo”, what might be the larger point of the story? Is
America now a "safer" place for him and his family?
12. What is George’s promise to Christopher for the future? What obstacles will exist for them?
The Contractor is the first novel to address the issue of American secret prisons in the war on
terror. It's not a story of politicians. It's about people on the ground, trying to make sense.
George Young is a devoted family man and Gulf War veteran who, when a hometown business
venture flops, accepts work as a contracted civilian interrogator for the U.S. government.
Soon he's overseas at a secret holding facility for suspected terrorists, a place called Omega.
When a detainee dies in George's hands during a "routine" interrogation, George embarks on a
painful journey of self-interrogation and discovery. In order to defend his country and his family,
must George betray his humanity?
Excerpt
Who are you?
Those were his last words. He had nothing to say about Zizoo. Then it seemed he gave up. Caught
us all by surprise—Bertie, Jamal and me. You wonder. His wet hair plastered slick on his head, his
eyelids fluttered. Gripping one of his arms below the bicep, I felt a tremor. Bertie felt it, too. Then he
was gone. ...view entire excerpt...
Discussion Questions
1. How does George’s relationship with his son Christopher compare to his attitude toward his work?
2. How does Bethany deal with her situation? What seems to be the general attitude toward women
on this island?
3. According to George, why is Jamal’s job so difficult? What does it mean that Bertie is a "Beatle"?
4. Why is the story of Cain and Abel mentioned? How might it reflect on George’s personal
situation?
5. How seriously should one take the Doctor? Is he simply a figure of fun?
6. What does George learn from Laurent about "Zizoo"? Why does this disturb him?
7. George’s encounter with Denise is a mistake and full of mishaps, but why does he behave this
way?
8. What has changed in George's relationship with Vernon? Will the brothers ever be the same?
9. What does George learn from Miss Breese? For her, what makes an action precious?
10. What does George confess to Bertie? Why? What do his confessions reveal about the reliability
of such interrogation methods?
11. If George never finds out the truth about “Zizoo”, what might be the larger point of the story? Is
America now a "safer" place for him and his family?
12. What is George’s promise to Christopher for the future? What obstacles will exist for them?
BOOK CLUB CONTEST
WINNERS!
Thanks to everyone
who participated! Here are
the winners:
Lisa Enz,
Ocean County Page Turners
Toms River, New Jersey
Becky Haase,
LaSalle Book Group
Chicago, Illinois
Sheila Dechantal,
Bookies Book Club
Brainerd, Minnesota
Rhonda Catreet,
Wetumpka, Alabama
Mari Ruuska,
Maple Grove, Minnesota
Norma Vieweg,
Boston, Massachusetts
Karen Gold,
Atlanta, Georgia
Barbara Duncan,
Charlotte, North Carolina
WINNERS!
Thanks to everyone
who participated! Here are
the winners:
Lisa Enz,
Ocean County Page Turners
Toms River, New Jersey
Becky Haase,
LaSalle Book Group
Chicago, Illinois
Sheila Dechantal,
Bookies Book Club
Brainerd, Minnesota
Rhonda Catreet,
Wetumpka, Alabama
Mari Ruuska,
Maple Grove, Minnesota
Norma Vieweg,
Boston, Massachusetts
Karen Gold,
Atlanta, Georgia
Barbara Duncan,
Charlotte, North Carolina
Reading Group Guide home
If you're a member of your city's book club or if you organize a club of your own to meet with friends
for coffee and a chat, this guide might be helpful. Naturally, it is just a springboard for your own
ideas.
If you would like more information about having Charles Holdefer participate in your discussion, via
conference call or in person, please write for information at charlesholdefer dot com
If you're a member of your city's book club or if you organize a club of your own to meet with friends
for coffee and a chat, this guide might be helpful. Naturally, it is just a springboard for your own
ideas.
If you would like more information about having Charles Holdefer participate in your discussion, via
conference call or in person, please write for information at charlesholdefer dot com
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|