Questions For Discussion about Water Inc.

1. Where most crime novels or thrillers make politics the back story, Burstyn has made it the front story in Water Inc. What do you consider to be the real crimes that are the heart and the bones of the book?

2. Love and struggles for it are as central to this book as they are to life, and the love stories drive the narrative in many ways. In what ways are the political stories and the love stories intertwined? Which relationships would you characterize as successful? Why?

3. Unlike most thrillers or other books in the crime novel genre, Burstyn has chosen not to focus exclusively on one or two central characters.
Why would she have opted instead to create an "ensemble cast" to tell the story of Water Inc?

4. What most defines the view that Greele and the other consortium members have of the environment?
How does this differ from Serge's view? From Malcolm's view? From the view of Claire and the Eau No Committee?

5. How are the consortium members' attitudes toward nature linked to their attitudes to politicians, government agencies, and their justification of their own actions?

6. To what extent do you think the story would have turned out differently had Serge acted differently? How do his decisions differ from Malcolm's decisions?

7. There are five very strong women characters in Water Inc. Who are they? In what way does each of them affect the evolution and outcome of the story?

8. What are the ways in which Claire represents Greele's opposite? How do their respective strategies and methods reflect their respective values and choices?

9. How would you characterize Nicole's struggles, dilemmas and choices?

10. How do the various law enforcement officials in Water Inc. assess the situations with which they are confronted? How are their choices and actions pivotal to the story? What do you think of their respective decisions to follow orders or act independently?

11. How is the role of the media in Water Inc. crucial and how would you describe that role?
Can you think of any parallels in current events?

12. Burstyn highlights the particular circumstances of Quebec within the North American context.
What did you know about these issues before reading Water Inc.? What other places in North America or the world present these same set of opportunities for natural resource exploitation and dangers to the environment?

13. What experiences have you had or that have raised some concerns about water for you?

14. Do you think that you get enough information about global warming? About environmental problems? About water issues?

15. Do you think that private corporations should be able to turn water into a commodity available only to those who can pay for it? Do you think water is similar in this respect, or different from other natural resources?

16. Did you find the combination of fact and fiction an enjoyable reading experience?