Book Club Questions

1. Had you heard of the term 'black swan incident' or 'black swan
event' before reading Black Swan Impact? If you had heard of it
previously, when did you learn about it and in what context? If you
hadn’t heard of it previously, will you embrace the term, and how
will you use it in the future?

Individual answers will vary concerning who knew what, when, and
how they will utilize the phrase. However, adding some background
may enhance the discussion. As the Prologue to Black Swan Impact
states, the discovery of black swans in Australia caused a dramatic
response from astonished 17 th century Western scientists, leading to
the term’s meaning, “A catastrophic incident that no one could have
foreseen or imagined because of its unprecedented impact.”
Nevertheless, the Prologue does not inform readers of how it found
its way into modern culture.

In the early 2000s, a finance professor introduced his theory
regarding startling and historically devastating economic crises, and
the concept of a black swan has gained traction by other business
professionals. Most notably, emergency managers, the intelligence
community, and first responders have universally embraced the
idiom ‘black swan incident’ or ‘event’ ubiquitously because they
have always understood that natural or man-made disasters can be
unfathomable and overwhelming.

2. Why do politicians in 2113 refer to China and The Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) as Odile Major and Odile Minor
respectively, and why was that included in the Prologue?

In Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, Swan Lake, the prima ballerina
dances the role of two characters: Odette and Odile. They are the
white swan, the protagonist, and the black swan, the antagonist,
respectively. Further, the meaning of a black swan incident or event
is commonly known. Since Odile is the villain, politicians use the
erudite reference behind closed doors to describe the two provocative
nations, and it is hint of what is to come in the novel.

The government of China is responsible for the devastation caused
by the Pyongyang Virus and the Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea is the first to suffer greatly because of it. With consent from
the Piper Administration, the Chinese government uses Neutrocarbon
Cluster missiles to level the DPRK in an effort to stop the spread.
The drastic action is too late because PYV outbreaks continue
unabated.

3. When readers first meet Syia and Paul Case, they find that the couple
is having marital difficulty and are separated. What were the major
causes for the rift and how do they find reconciliation?

Syia and Paul are at odds because Syia has not been able to accept
the fact that she could not bring a child into the world via natural
means, and Paul has turned away from sharing the grief. They have
consumed themselves with work as a way to avoid each other and
escape their problems. Then, Syia decides she will go to China to
work with Tahnee to finalize the estrangement until an explosion in
Tahnee’s lab not only prevents Syia from going to China but fills her
with more grief due to the loss of her friend. She seeks succor from
Paul, and they spend the night together. Syia has a nightmare and is
shaken at the thought of Paul dying. She almost runs away from him
again, but he convinces her that wants her to stay and that he cares.
Ultimately, Syia realizes that she loves him and wants to recommit to
the relationship.

4. Why doesn’t President Daniel Piper immediately listen to his
advisors concerning a threat arising in the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea?

Daniel Piper is the first Innovative Party President with charisma and
political wherewithal to advance the United States to become the
richest, most powerful, and completely envied country for its
unparalleled innovations. Further, he expects his aspirations will not
just be realized globally, but across the universe, as well. Therefore,
he requires all government efforts to focus on his agenda. In his
mind, a war or highly contagious disease would detract resources,
which could derail his goals, making him refuse to recognize any
threats initially.

5. What is the dynamic between Syia, Paul, and Daniel, and how does
that affect the plot?

Originally, Syia and Daniel were high school sweethearts, and then
Paul and Daniel were business partners. Daniel’s wife and Syia
became good friends, and Cecilia introduced Syia and Paul to one
another. After Cecilia died, Daniel, Syia, and Paul remained friends,
but Daniel oversteps bounds with Syia, driving a wedge between the
two business partners. The sexual tension not only lingers but
escalates. Finally, Daniel brutally punishes both Paul and Syia
because he cannot have her for himself. Paul dies, Syia suffers
serious physical and emotional wounds, and Daniel must accept the
consequences for his heinous actions.

6. How do the ‘Windows’ for each chapter enhance the novel, and what
was your favorite ‘Window’?

Each chapter of Black Swan Impact begins with a ‘Window’. The
author chose the name ‘Window’ because the architectural feature
usually is a transparent opening that provides views to that which
otherwise would be obstructed or unobservable. Some of the
‘Windows’ relate directly to their given chapters while others present
backstories. Regardless of whether the passages are directly or
indirectly related to the chapters, they offer details that would not be
enjoyed otherwise.

Answers regarding a favorite ‘Window’ will vary, but book club
members should explain why they picked their particular ‘Windows’
of choice.

7. What new technology finally reveals the true seriousness of the
microbial threat, and did you find its function an appropriate
futuristic element?

The MOLE Platform, or Molecular Observer of Latent Environments
Platform, collects images and signals from the subterranean Hermit
Kingdom (DPRK). It can glean intelligence from inside the caverns
environment virtually and reveals a nightmarish scene to President
Piper and his advisors. Its futuristic function becomes extremely
valuable because other methods of intelligence collection could not
display the visceral images like a woman standing on a bridge and
cupping her face with tissue sloughing off like Edvard Munch’s
painting The Scream. The mayhem viewed within the caves so
unnerves everyone, including Piper, that the focus of the US
government turns to battling the new threat with every resource.

8. Would you be a Carpdee or an Ostrich if you were living in USA
when the Pyongyang Virus outbreak occurs, and why?

Answers will vary as to why each person will choose one category or
the other. Each of the choices has merits, but book club members
should specify why their choices are best for them. The choices will
be predicated on the classification of each.

If some choose to be ‘Carpdees’, they would want to be located in
non-lockdown states to enjoy their days left to the fullest. The Latin
phrase, ‘carpe diem’, means seize the day, so moniker comes from
splicing the two ancient words together. In other words, they would
prefer to live without restrictions of any kind.

If some choose to be ‘Ostriches’, they would prefer to live in a
lockdown state. They would keep away from others to the greatest
extent possible, holing up in their residences and depend on the
government to provide food and other necessary supplies.

9. Syia and Paul want to resign, but Daniel does not accept their
resignations. Why doesn’t he allow them to leave government
service, and what does he reveal to garner their sympathy?

When the Pyongyang Virus strikes US soil, Daniel must depend on
his most trusted advisors and friends despite the tensions that prompt
Syia and Paul to write resignation letters. Therefore, Piper will not
accept their resignations. However, there is more to the complexities
of their relationships. Daniel explains that he has been struggling
with keeping his bipolar disease under control during the crisis. Syia
and Paul understand his ailment and rally to support him as a friend
and President.

10. Other than Syia and Paul Case, who are some other characters that
stand up to the increasingly irrational president, and why do they
matter?

Marla Estes, Scott Yaretzi, and General Norman are the three other
characters who figure prominently in standing up to Daniel Piper’s
tyrannical actions. Estes and Yaretzi seek legal recourses to stop the
decay of democracy. However, Piper learns of Estes and Yaretzi’s
plan to invoke the 25 th Amendment and has them dispatched to
Florida along with Paul. Being sent to the Carpdee state is
tantamount to a death sentence since the state is overwhelmed with
the highly contagious and virulent outbreak. Conversely, Norman
succeeds in keeping his actions hidden from Piper’s sphere. Over
time, Norman orchestrates a military intervention—a coup—to
restore democracy.

11. Were you surprised by Syia being marooned in Alaska, and why was
it fortuitous for her to be abandoned there?

Answers will vary regarding the surprise, but the fact that Syia was
castaway to Alaska was fortuitous because of her background. She
climbed mountains skillfully from the earliest age in Nepal and kept
up the activity into adulthood. Such expertise comforted her as she
planned her escape over the mountains. Additionally, she was a
member of the Sherpa people, so she had a special connection to
Native Americans. That connection gave her a bridge to seek
assistance from a member of the Haida Band. The Tlingit and Haida
Indian Tribes of Alaska volunteered to smuggle Syia out like the
Underground Railroad of the 19 th Century. Ultimately, the escape
never occurred due to the rescue raid. However, had the raid not
taken place, Syia likely would have found freedom through the help
from the Native Americans.

12. How do the characters Blake Johnson, Chris Kelly, Brienne Miller,
and Bridgette Miller affect Syia during her captivity in Alaska, and
how do they affect her desire to escape?

Being the ‘Magistrate’ and all-around thug, Blake Johnson controls
Syia’s captivity. He keeps her on a short leash to include living in his
cabin where he displays abhorrently crude and misogynistic
behaviors. All of those elements exacerbate the already awful
circumstances of her imprisonment and confirm to Syia how
important it is for her to escape.

Chris Kelly, on the other hand, provides Syia some solace and
friendship in the otherwise hostile environment. Further, he literally
saved her life by performing surgery on her and administering
restorative aid. Had Chris not been there, she would have died upon
her arrival. Instead, he helped her to regain strength and resolve so
that she could escape. Finally, Chris designed the plan for her escape
and had a contact with the Haida Band, who would give her a way to
further her success.

Syia did not have direct contact with Brienne Miller, but Brienne
influenced her greatly. The statement, “I am a strong and
independent woman,” scribbled on the floor of Syia’s prison cell
buoyed her when she felt defeated. Perhaps if Syia hadn’t seen those
inspirational words, she would have given up completely. Instead,
she determined that she would adopt the same sentiments.

Finally, Bridgette affected Syia because the girl exemplified why
Syia needed to escape. Moreover, Syia felt compassion for the
troubled teen and valued the short interaction they shared. Little did
either of them know that they would become friends when they were
freed from the Alfa Section, but it would become a treasured
friendship.

13. Did the trial scene allow you to feel empathy for Daniel Piper and
why or why not?

Answers will vary. However, either way, the fact that Piper shows
remorse and has struggled to return to health will factor into all
answers one way or another.

14. Were you surprised to discover the origin of the virus and why or
why not?

The virus is an extraterrestrial microorganism, and answers will vary
regarding the surprise factor concerning its origin. Syia is not
shocked by the fact that the pathogen came from space, but she is
angered by the irresponsible actions of not irradiating outer space
mined material before sending it to Earth.

15. Who is Syia’s ‘angel and godsend’ and why?

Marla, her daughter, is Syia’s ‘angel and godsend’. Readers should
recall that Syia and Paul unsuccessfully tried to have a baby via
natural means for many years. This pregnancy was a welcomed
wonder to her but also bittersweet. Syia is angry that Paul will never
meet his daughter. However, she can rejoice in her ‘miracle baby’
and gratefully remember her friends, Marla and Chris, who were so
important to her and her lost love.