Picture a society teetering on the brink, where the desperate fight for a sliver of hope in a world that's anything but fair – that's the raw essence of Megha Majumdar's powerful novel 'A Guardian and a Thief,' chosen by Oprah Winfrey as her October book club pick. Unveiled exclusively on 'CBS Mornings' on Tuesday, this story pulls you into the gritty realities of survival, morality, and the human spirit in Kolkata's chaos. But here's where it gets controversial: does the line between guardian and thief really exist within all of us, or is it just a convenient excuse for our darkest choices? Dive in with us as we explore the depths of this tale, and let's unravel its themes together in a way that's accessible for everyone, even if you're new to book discussions. Get ready to reflect, debate, and perhaps even challenge your own views – this guide is your companion for a richer reading experience.
Reader's Guide for Megha Majumdar's 'A Guardian and a Thief,' Oprah's Book Club Selection
October 14, 2025 / 8:20 AM EDT / CBS News
Oprah Winfrey shared her latest book club choice live on 'CBS Mornings' (https://www.cbsnews.com/cbs-mornings), spotlighting Megha Majumdar's 'A Guardian and a Thief' as the pick to spark conversations and deep dives.
Spark your imagination and engage with the book using this comprehensive reader's guide.
Reader's Guide Questions
Majumdar puts forth the idea that every person harbors both a protector and a robber within. In what ways does this duality manifest in the lives of Ma and Boomba? Would you argue that their behaviors stem more from a sense of right and wrong, or are they primarily driven by the need to survive? And this is the part most people miss: what if their actions reveal a universal gray area in ethics – does that make them heroes or anti-heroes?
Kolkata faces relentless challenges like starvation, extreme temperatures, and overwhelming waters. How does the city itself act almost like a living being in the story, influencing the decisions made by Ma, Dadu, and Boomba? For beginners, think of the city as a character that sets the stage, much like how a harsh environment in a movie forces characters to adapt – it shapes their paths in profound ways.
Ma puts everything on the line – her honesty, her self-respect, and even her well-being – all for the possibility of escaping to America. What insights does the novel offer into the heavy toll and boundaries of optimism? To clarify, hope can be a double-edged sword: it's motivating, but when the stakes are life-altering, it might lead to risky choices that echo real-world immigration struggles.
Dadu and Mishti represent the extremes of life stages. In what different manners do they encounter and process the unfolding disaster? What lessons about adaptability through the ages does their bond teach us? This could spark debate: is resilience innate, or does it come from experience – and how does that apply to your own family dynamics?
Both Ma and Boomba engage in theft (Ma takes from the shelter, while Boomba steals from Ma). Does the story portray one act of taking as more understandable than the other? In what ways does this challenge our ideas of fairness and wrongdoing? But here's where it gets controversial: if theft is sometimes a matter of necessity, does that redefine justice in a broken system? Share your stance – is there ever a 'forgivable' crime?
Documents like passports and visas emerge as beacons of rescue and continuity. What commentary does the book provide on the random control these papers wield in deciding who enjoys security and who faces peril? For example, imagine a lottery where paperwork determines your fate – it's arbitrary, yet it mirrors real global inequalities in access to better lives.
Love fuels both households: Ma's devotion to her daughter, and Boomba's care for his younger sibling Robi. How does Majumdar illustrate that familial duties can simultaneously nourish the soul and burden it heavily? To make it relatable, think of caring for a loved one during tough times – it's fulfilling, yet exhausting, highlighting the bittersweet nature of family bonds.
From humble veggies to synthetic protein spreads, nourishment is a key element throughout. Beyond just keeping bodies going, what purposes does food serve? How does starvation mold our sense of ethics and creativity? This expands the idea: hunger isn't just physical; it can stifle dreams and force moral compromises, like in historical famines where people resorted to unthinkable acts to survive.
Acts of generosity, such as offering hydration or meals to others, carry an undercurrent of urgency. Where in the novel did you notice the most impactful displays of empathy, and what dangers accompanied them? And this is the part most people miss: in a world of scarcity, kindness can be heroic but risky – does it weaken your own position, or build community? What risks would you take for a stranger?
The plot references past Bengal famines from 1770, 1876, and 1943. Why might Majumdar have deliberately included these historical events? How does this historical lens enhance your understanding of the current turmoil? For beginners, it's like connecting dots: past disasters show patterns of suffering, making the story's crisis feel eerily timeless and urging us to learn from history.
The extravagant wedding banquet on the floating hexagon island showcases stark disparities in wealth. In what ways does it highlight vast social divides? Did it remind you of inequalities we see in today's world, like opulent events amid poverty? But here's where it gets controversial: is flaunting wealth during crises insensitive, or a necessary escape? Does it reflect or perpetuate real-world injustices?
The story wraps up with flights grounded and the American aspiration postponed. How did this conclusion stir your emotions? Did it leave you feeling defeated, grounded in truth, or oddly inspired? As a thought-provoking note, endings like this invite debate: is deferred hope a tragedy, or a call to action in our own lives? We'd love to hear from you – do these questions resonate, or do you interpret the novel differently? Drop your opinions in the comments below and let's discuss!
In:
* Oprah Winfrey (https://www.cbsnews.com/tag/oprah-winfrey/)
* Oprah's Book Club (https://www.cbsnews.com/tag/oprahs-book-club/)
