Touchstone Reading Group Guide

Voodoo Lounge

1. Both the natural environment and the political climate of Haiti are described throughout the novel. How does the contrast between the two contribute to the story? Are there any aspects of the natural world in Haiti that reflect the characters?

2. Discuss Tory’s character. What motivates her to join the Army? Do you think she is a good soldier? Why or why not? Why do you think she chooses, unlike the other female soldiers in the book, to cut her hair short? How does Tory differ from the civilian women in the novel, such as Lorraine and Pastor?

3. How is the dynamic between male and female soldiers explored within the novel? Discuss the relationship between Tory and her fellow male soldiers, in particular Dick Wags. Examine the sexual energy between Tory and Marc Hall. What is it that draws them to each other, and do you think the war-zone setting has an effect on their attraction?

4. Discuss the incident in basic training that happened between Drill Sergeant Hoya and the trainee from Tory’s platoon named Smith. What effect does this have on Tory and the other female soldiers? What do you think of the platoon’s ostracism of Smith? What do you think of Drill Sergeant Chase’s reaction to it?

5. Bauman describes Tory’s relationship with Junior Davis this way:

   “Their drunk was a lot like their relationship in that way; it matched their relationship, followed the same track. Same as when you’re drunk and you don’t notice things have started to change, or you think maybe you see a change and you don’t know why or how long it’s been that way and you shake your head to clear it but you’re drunk now and nothing is very clear.”

   What does this passage illustrate about their relationship? How much of an impact do you think their alcohol use had on their overall relationship and its eventual demise?

6. Marc Hall is a unique character, an American officer of Haitian descent deployed to occupy Haiti. Do you think there is an inherent conflict in that, and if so, how does he deal with it? Do you think his misinterpretation of the American mission in Haiti is inevitable, given his ancestry, or simply naive? The novel hints at divorce and a problem with depression; how do these affect Hall’s interpretations and actions?

7. Discuss Pastor’s character. Do you think she is in love with McBride, or has she simply come to rely on him? What motivates her to continue with her maritime ministry? Why do you think she chooses to stay in Haiti at the end of the novel?

8.He took a drag on his cigarette, then poked his finger at Scaboo. “My little roomdog, you’re a hired gun. Nothing noble about it.” He spread his arms. “We’re noble, mind you. We’re the goods…We’re American soldiers.” He hissed the word, drawing it out. The group was silent now, drunk and holding its breath. “But don’t think what we do is noble. You’re drawing a paycheck, is all. Taking a bullet.” He stubbed out his smoke on a cold piece of pizza. “You’re an offensive tool of the United States government. You ain’t defending nothing.”

   Do you agree with this statement made by Junior Davis? Why or why not? Do you think it is a sentiment felt by others in novel? What does this say about Junior Davis? He was referring to the Gulf War; do you think this sentiment is applicable to current events in Iraq?

9. Why did Captain Hall make the decision to rescue Ben Narcisse from the Haitian prison? What effect did witnessing the horrible conditions in the Haitian prison and the families gathered at the HIV hospital have on Tory’s final decisions?

10. How do both Junior Davis and Tory individually deal with their HIV infection? What do you think of Tory’s delay in telling anyone of her condition? Was it justified? Does Junior Davis’s mistaken impression that he didn’t infect Tory change him in any way? Why do you think Lorraine chooses to stay with Junior Davis?

11. Why do you think the book is titledVoodoo Lounge ? What does that part of the ship symbolize?