10 While Justice Sleeps Book Club Questions For Discussion
Imagine being thrust into a high-stakes legal drama, where you hold the power of life and death over a cantankerous judge and the fate of a controversial merger between a US biotech company and an Indian genetics firm.
This is the thrilling premise of “While Justice Sleeps,” the captivating novel by two-time New York Times Bestselling Author Stacey Abrams.
Join me on this journey of intrigue and political maneuvering as I delve into this cunningly crafted, sophisticated tale woven with myriad twists and a vibrant cast of characters.
With the help of these book club questions, you will get to know the complex puzzle left behind by Justice Howard Wynn, the brilliant young law clerk Avery Keene’s journey of unraveling it, and the dangerous conspiracy that infiltrates the highest power corridors of Washington, all while exploring the author’s astute inside knowledge of the court and political landscape surrounding it.
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While Justice Sleeps Book Club Questions
- Avery navigates her personal life and the investigation simultaneously by balancing her responsibilities to Justice Wynn and her own life. She takes care of her mother, who is struggling with addiction, and develops a romantic relationship with Jared while also working to uncover the truth about the Tigris Project and the corruption at the highest level of the US government.
What’s your take on Avery’s ability to balance her personal life and the investigation showcasing her resilience and strength as a character? - The romance between Avery and Jared adds a personal dimension to the investigation. Jared’s involvement in the investigation brings a sense of urgency and personal investment to the plot, while his relationship with Avery adds a sense of vulnerability and humanity to her character.
What’s your take on the romance highlighting the theme of personal sacrifice, as Avery and Jared put their personal lives on hold to work towards a greater goal? - The final courtroom scene reveals the difficulty of prosecuting powerful individuals because Avery cannot prove that President Stokes knew about the Tigris Project. However, Avery is able to ensure that President Stokes is prosecuted for the murder of former President Cadres, which is a small victory in the face of larger corruption.
Discuss how this act is a testament to how powerful individuals with wealth, connections, and resources can manipulate the legal system and avoid punishment for their actions. - The conflict between the GenWorks-Advar merger and the Tigris Project affects Justice Wynn’s decision to put himself in a coma because he is faced with a unique moral predicament. He knew that exposing the Tigris Project was the right thing to do ethically, but he also knew that the GenWorks-Advar merger could result in the development of a cure for Boursin’s syndrome, a degenerative disease that is killing him and his son.
The next thing that Justice Wynn did was what we call an ultimate sacrifice. What’s your take on that moral act? - Justice Wynn’s decision to grant Avery power of attorney shows that he trusts Avery and believes that she is capable of handling the responsibility that comes with a power of attorney. It also gives Avery the ability to access important information and evidence that she can use to expose the corruption at the highest level of the US government.
Discuss the “act of trusting someone” based on this particular context. - The character of Justice Wynn exemplifies clear moral fortitude. He is highly critical of the corruption and willful ignorance he sees in politics and the media, and he refuses to be swayed by monetary gain or political pressure. However, Justice Wynn also faces a moral conundrum when he must decide whether to save his son’s life by potentially harming others or sacrifice his son for the greater good.
Do you think it was this dilemma that demonstrated how even characters with strong moral principles could struggle with difficult ethical decisions? - The theme of corruption is pervasive throughout the novel, as nearly all of the characters are involved in some form of corruption, from President Stokes to Justice Wynn’s own colleagues. Avery is one of the few characters who remains incorruptible and steadfast in her moral principles, even when faced with bribery and danger.
Discuss how the novel shows how corruption can seep into all aspects of society, from politics to business to personal relationships, and how it can ultimately lead to disastrous consequences. - Major Vance represents the concept of loyalty to those in power, even if it means engaging in unethical behavior, by carrying out the president’s wishes and overseeing the majority of the president’s dirty work. While Vance’s character seems powerful, he is, in fact, little more than a tool who carries out the president’s wishes, representing a sort of loyalty, which he thinks of as patriotic loyalty. Vance is just one of many such cogs in the corrupt machine that the president sits at the top of. Ultimately, these people are all disposable, as evidenced when the president turns on Vance and betrays him.
Based on this concept, do you think extreme loyalty always ends up in betrayal? If yes, discuss. If no, explain how. - Jared’s Boursin’s syndrome creates a conflict for Justice Wynn, who must decide whether to expose the Tigris Project’s research or allow the companies responsible to proceed with the research, which could help save his son. This conflict adds depth to Justice Wynn’s character and helps to highlight the difficult choices that people in positions of power must make.
Discuss. - The final courtroom scene reveals the difficulty of prosecuting powerful individuals because Avery cannot prove that President Stokes knew about the Tigris Project. However, Avery is able to ensure that President Stokes is prosecuted for the murder of former President Cadres, which is a small victory in the face of larger corruption.
Discuss how this act is a testament to how powerful individuals with wealth, connections, and resources can manipulate the legal system and avoid punishment for their actions.
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