24 Book Club Discussion Questions for Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

Our Bookum community just had a Nook (real-time group audio) discussion on Katabasis by R.F. Kuang, and it sparked some amazing conversation. Below are 24 discussion questions we loved and think will help any book club dig deeper into this dense and ambitious novel.

If your group is reading Katabasis, these questions are designed to explore the themes of guilt, ambition, faith, and the dangers of academia without heart. They also work well for students, teachers, or anyone searching for in-depth Katabasis discussion questions online.

General Impressions

1 - Was this your first R.F. Kuang novel? How does Katabasis compare to Yellowface, Babel, or The Poppy War?

2 - What were your overall thoughts about the pacing, world building, and story structure? Did the heavy academic style make it stronger or harder to follow?

3 - How did your personal relationship with academia shape your reading of this book? Did it make you reflect differently about higher education or academic culture?

4 - Did this book feel more like a story, or more like an academic exercise? How did that affect your enjoyment?

Themes of Hell, Faith, and Reason

5 - The word “katabasis” means a descent into the underworld. How do you see this playing out for Alice and Peter?

6 - What did you think of Kuang’s version of Hell as a shifting plain, an academic campus, and a test of the mind?

7 - How does the novel compare to Dante’s Inferno? Who plays the role of Virgil (reason) and who plays the role of Beatrice (faith and love) for Alice?

8 - What did you think of the Citadel in Hell? What might it represent academic ivory towers, endless research, or something else?

9 - How does Kuang weave together philosophy, theology, and literature (Dante, Kant, Shakespeare, T.S. Eliot) into the story? Did these references add depth or distraction?

Characters and Relationships

10 - How did you interpret Alice’s relationship with Professor Grimes mentor, abuser, intellectual idol, or something in between?

11 - Alice sacrifices decades of her lifespan, her firstborn, and even her own safety. What does this say about ambition and success?

12 - Did you see parallels between Alice and Juniper from Yellowface especially in how both grapple with guilt, ambition, and self-deception?

13 - What was your reaction to Alice and Peter’s dynamic? Did it feel like an “enemies to lovers” romance, or something more complicated?

14 - Peter sacrifices himself for Alice. Did this moment feel earned, and how did it change your perception of his character?

15 - Which side characters stood out most for you (Elspeth, Archimedes the cat, Lord Yama)? How did they move the story forward?

Symbolism and Big Questions

16 - Alice’s magic required self-delusion, risk, and hope. Do you see magic here as a metaphor for faith, love, or creativity?

17 - At one point, Grimes offers Alice the chance to stay in Hell doing endless research. How does this reflect academia’s promise and danger?

18 - Kuang often ties beauty, courage, vulnerability, and truth to love. How do these ideas resonate in the book?

19 - Did you interpret Alice’s journey as more about proving herself to Professor Grimes, or about finding her own self-worth?

20 - What do you think Kuang is saying about the dangers of idolizing teachers, mentors, or intellectual authority?

Storytelling Choices

21 - Did the frequent flashbacks work for you, or did they slow down the story?

22 - The book often tells rather than shows. Did this style enhance the academic tone or weaken the emotional impact?

23 - Do you think Katabasis would have been stronger if it had been shorter?

24 - How did you feel about the ending Alice rejecting Grimes, choosing faith, life and Peter Murdock, and gaining a new appreciation for existence?

Bonus Use

💡 For book clubs using apps like Bookum: You can share these questions directly in your group discussion thread to spark conversation. Many readers find that structured prompts help members who may feel intimidated by Kuang’s dense, academic style.