I Kill Rich People: New Edition Released 11/27/14
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In addition to writing novels, Mike has been active in real estate, farms wheat, and grows grapes, from which he makes several distinctive red wines.
Mike has written five novels and a screenplay.
BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
Throughout IKRP, the author offers only third party speculations about motive for the killings without ever revealing why the shooter is killing billionaires. Why does he choose not to tell? Is this merely a device to capture more readers for the sequel or might there be other reasons?
Income inequality and class warfare are more commonly non-fiction themes slanting to the academic side of analysis. Why would an author approach this in fiction? What does fiction offer to the reader that non-fiction does not?
Key characters are devoted career members of law enforcement agencies and the military. In what ways does their public service come into conflict with individualism?
Owen Cullen, the Everyman character, is often caught between his devotion to duty and the goals and expectations of his family. What do you think the author is suggesting about Owen and about American society? To what extent do you agree? Disagree?
The shooter carefully avoids harming anyone other than the very rich. With the exception of Emerson Elliot, mainstream media within the book intentionally suppresses the specific “I Kill Rich People” theme in other reporting of the attacks. How do you imagine news programming would approach attacks upon the .001%?
Throughout the story, the author depicts characters and events with a restrained realism; nothing that takes place is either superhuman or immeasurably complex. Are the extremely wealthy really as vulnerable as depicted? How might they react to similar targeting?
Is Callie depicted realistically? What is behind her attitude? Given her situation, how might you respond?
The author certainly does not appear to embrace any depiction of mainstream media as “liberal”. Several attempts are made to silence Emerson Elliot through advertisers, through attempts to hire away key staff, and through civil action. How has major media treated other persons and stories that conflicted with wealthy patrons and advertisers? How did major media treat stories of the Occupy Movement?
The author depicts individuals at the apex of public service being motivated by personal agendas that compromise their effectiveness. Is this realistic? To what extent does this take place? Is this corruption or simply the way the game is played?
Is the book political? If so, where on the political spectrum might it be placed? Left, Center, Right? Why?
Is I Kill Rich People really about killing or about living? What are your thoughts about the society that the author has depicted and are the issues and concerns realistic? Has the book lead you to consider new issues?