A Long Way Home

Strangers are sources of both kindness and danger in Saroo’s memoir. Using specific examples, discuss how this duality impacts the choices Saroo makes while on the streets of Kolkata and after he arrives at the orphanage.

Saroo strives to keep his memories of India fresh in his mind. What are his most vivid memories from this period? How do these memories shape his identity?

What is Sue’s stance on adoption? What childhood experiences influenced her views?

What spurs Saroo to search for his birth home during university? How do technological advances support his search?

Discuss Saroo, Kamla, and Sue’s courage. How do they each display courage? Use evidence from the text to compare their individual paths.

What role do chance and fate play in Saroo’s memoir?

Discuss Saroo’s experiences of cultural dissonance when he arrives in Australia as a child and when he returns to India as an adult. How does he confront both experiences?

What efforts does Saroo make to fit in with his Indian family? How does he attempt to bridge the gap between his Indian family and his Australian upbringing?