Good Omens Discussion Questions

December 1, 2018

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

 

1.      What did you think of the story? Did you like it? Love it? Hate it? What made you lean that way?

2.      What did you expect before picking up this book? How were your expectations met or missed?

3.      There are many different covers for this book; most of them released in pairs. Do you like the cover your book had? Do you like others more? What do you think of the cover pairings and what it says about the novel?

4.      Have you read other works by Neil Gaiman or Terry Pratchett? Which ones? Can you identify their unique voices in this text?

5.      Explain your thoughts on the title and what it means.

6.      A lot is going on in this novel. What do you think the main idea/theme is? Do you think it comes across clearly? Why or why not?

7.      Good Omens is satire, a literary work which uses wit, especially irony, sarcasm, and ridicule, to attach the vices and follies of humankind. Does the book’s sense of humor appeal to you? Why or why not?

8.      In what way does the satire of this novel add or detract from the message?

9.      How do you view the roles of Agnes Nutter and Anathema? Do their prophecies fit into the satire or are they merely there as plot moving devices?

10.  What elements of satire spoke to you? Which ones did not?

11.  Do you believe in a separation between Good and Evil? If so, what’s the difference and how do you know which is which? How are your personal beliefs reflected in this book? How does this reflect in the characters of Aziraphale and Crowley?

12.  What do you think of the relationship between Aziraphale and Crowley?

13.  Reflect on the secondary characters in this book. Which ones did you connect with? Which were your favorite? Why?

14.  Gaiman and Pratchett play often on words, particularly with proper nouns. What are some of your favorite plays-on-words? Why?

15.  What are your thoughts on the depictions of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Why do you think the 3rd horseman was changed from Pestilence to Pollution?

16.  It is suggested throughout the story that there is some divine plan that lays out every action in life, yet all present are shocked when Adam stops Armageddon. Do you think this is part of the ineffable plan or there is no divine plan in action?

17.  What is the relationship between free will and “God’s ineffable plan” in the events of the book? How does this affect the reader’s experience?

18.   How do you see the role of humanity vs. the supernatural portrayed in this novel? Do you agree with Crowley’s reflections that no angel or demon could even think up the horrible things humans do to hurt each other or the wonderful things they do to help each other?

19.  How do you view the treatment of Christianity in this book? The treatment of other belief systems?

20.  One trope which is shockingly prominent in this novel is the “Aluminum Christmas Tree” trope, where an element exists/existed in real life but is assumed to be fictional by audiences. For example, people with names like “Thou-Shall-Not-Commit-Adultery” really existed amongst the Puritans. And all the misprinted bibles exist (except the Charing Cross Bible and Bugger-Alle-This Bible). Did you catch any of these? What do you want to share?

  • Aside: The Good Omens TV trope page is one of the longest on the whole site. There are a lot of fun tropes twisted against themselves in here! Any favorites?

21.  Good Omens was published in 1990. Did you consistently imagine the setting in the late 80’s? Why or why not? When were you brought back to the era? Why?

22.  Sometime in 2018, a 6-part mini-series of Good Omens will be released for Amazon Prime Video and BBC Two, written by Gaiman with Pratchett’s posthumous blessing (seriously! It was in the will!). This adaption will be set in 2018.

  • Are you interested in watching this? What are you most excited for? Least excited for?
  • How do you expect the over two decade time period difference to affect the experience?
  • David Tenant will be playing Crowley, Michael Sheen will be playing Aziraphale. How do you feel about these choices?

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