16 Age of Vice Book Club Questions

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Deepti Kapoor’s Age of Vice exploded onto the literary scene in 2023, earning comparisons to the epic scale of The Godfather. This sprawling saga delves into the intoxicating world of wealth, power, and the moral abyss that often accompanies them.

From the dusty plains of Uttar Pradesh to the opulent heart of New Delhi, Kapoor masterfully brings together the lives of three disparate characters: an ambitious journalist, a watchful servant, and a reckless heir.

Their intersecting paths form a dangerous mix of ambition, betrayal, and violence.

With its relentless pace and unflinching portrayal of a morally complex world, Age of Vice is a gripping exploration of India’s underbelly. As we delve into these discussion questions, we’ll uncover the dark secrets that bind these characters and question the price of power.

Let’s begin.

age of vice book club questions

Age of Vice Book Club Questions

  • Deepti Kapoor uses various time periods to drive the plot forward. What’s your take on it? How has shifting between different times and perspectives added depth to the narrative and furthered the story’s messages?

  • In what ways does the Wadia family’s wealth, corruption, and violence shape the novel’s events? How does their social standing and power influence the characters and their choices?

  • What are the primary themes of Age of Vice? Are there any underlying messages about society or morality that can be found in the text?

  • How do different characters’ perspectives on life and morality influence their decisions and actions in the novel? How does their outlook on the world around them shape their behavior and reaction to events?

  • Kapoor’s purpose in exploring the complicated character of Sunny is to illustrate how difficult it can be to extricate oneself from one’s family and upbringing, even if they have been oppressive or criminal in nature. If that is the case, how does the novel portray redemption and how does Sunny’s story illustrate it?

  • What is the significance of the title Age of Vice? Are there any parallels between this story and the current state of Indian society that can be drawn from its title?

  • How does Deepti Kapoor use symbolism to further her story’s themes? Are there any elements of the story that you felt could have been explored more deeply? What symbols appear throughout the novel, and what do they represent?

  • In what ways does Ajay, Sunny, and Neda’s relationship evolve throughout the novel? How does their dynamic change as events unfold and each character discovers new information?

  • Neda’s portrayal reflects the national tensions plaguing India by highlighting issues such as privilege and class disparity as well as a lack of commitment to her profession. How does this contribute to the overall narrative?

  • What messages about contemporary Indian society do you take away from reading this novel? How does the portrayal of events and characters in Age of Vice reflect on modern-day India?

  • Ajay demonstrates loyalty to Sunny by always being willing to do whatever he is asked. Further, the fact that he has been given an opportunity to escape a life of poverty and servitude in his home region motivates him. Do you think he deserved what he got after being so loyal to Sunny?

  • A spoilt son not being able to take over his father’s throne, with the former lacking the cruelty of the latter. If this is the case, to what extent does Sunny’s relationship with his father serve as a cautionary tale? How can one avoid the pitfalls of inherited power?

  • After reading this novel, what’s your take on to what extent can crime, corruption, family dynamics and betrayal be reconciled within contemporary Indian society?

  • Deepti Kapoor’s writing captures the essence of modern India through her vivid descriptions and exploration of characters, their motivations and aspirations, as well as a close examination of social issues such as class and gender disparity. What’s your take on her writing, and how will you remember this book?

  • Sunil Rastogi plays an important role in the climax of the film. What’s your take on his character development? How did his actions shape the novel’s climax and resolution?

  • Do you think Age of Vice is a socio-political novel? How else would you categorize it?

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