Scott Pilgrim
Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life by Brian Lee O’Malley
Synopsis: Gleefully oblivious 22-year-old slacker Scott Pilgrim is living the easy life: unemployed, playing with his punk-rock band, and dating a high schooler. When the mysterious Ramona arrives in town (rollerblading through his subconscious, no less), Scott is smitten. But his precious little life is thrown into turmoil when he discovers that if he wants to be Ramona’s boyfriend, he will have to defeat her Seven Evil Exes! Melodramatic, over-the-top action ensues.
Themes: Dealing with the past in a new relationship, honesty, post-modernism
Content Advisory: Some mild swearing, cartoony violence, alcohol use, and one scene of making-out that 12 year-olds love to giggle at.
Discussion Questions:
1. If you were Scott's friend, what advice would you give him? Do you think Scott is doing the right things in the book?
2. How does Knives change over the course of the book? What is different about her at the end?
3. What role does music play in the world of Scott Pilgrim? What does the author do to make you experience the music as a reader?
4. How do the over-the-top fight scenes dramatize the conflict that is going on between the characters? Do you think this is an effective way to tell the story?
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Synopsis: After Scott defeats Ramona’s first Evil Ex, Scott and Ramona’s relationship moves into full swing. But they won’t be able to rest easy for long as another Evil Ex is coming to town. A jilted Knives Chau is after revenge, and a phone call from someone in Scott’s past puts Scott’s future happiness in jeopardy!
Themes: Dealing with the past in a new relationship, honesty
Content Advisory: Mild swearing, cartoony violence, and alcohol use.
Discussion Questions:
1. How is the story of Scott’s high school relationship with Kim Pine from the beginning of the book similar to or different from his relationship with Knives? With Ramona?
2. Why does Knives attack Ramona in the library? Do you think her attack is justified?
3. Look at the sequence in Chapter 10 where Scott gets a call from Envy. What storytelling techniques does the author use to illustrate that scene? If you took away the words, what emotions would you get from those pages? Why?
4. In this volume, there is a section where Steven Stills shows the reader how to make vegan shepherd’s pie, and another section where Scott sings a song and the book shows you the chords. How do these passages affect your reading of the book? Do they distract you, or do they draw you into the story?
