Reading Guide: Road to Perdition

Road to Perdition
by Max Collins

• Publishing Data • Preview • Background • Discussion Guide • Further Exploration •

Publishing Data

Published 1998

Illustrated by Richard Piers Rayner

Made into a film Road to Perdition (2002) starring Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jude Law and directed by Sam Mendes.

Preview

Michael O'Sullivan is an enforcer for the mobster Looney. When O'Sullivan's son Michael, Jr., sees him murder a disloyal associate, Looney's son Connor kills O'Sullivan's wife and younger son. Vowing revenge, O'Sullivan flees with Michael, Jr.

Background

As Max Collins states in his introduction, there really was a mobster named John Looney who collaborated with the Capone gang and had a betrayed lieutenant.

Al Capone, Frank Nitti, Eliot Ness, and Bill Gabel are all also historical figures.

Other incidents in the novel such as the burning of the riverboat Quinlan and the shoot-out in the Sherman Hotel in Rock Island also really happened.

Discussion Guide

Note that the entire novel takes the form of a memoir written by an adult Michael, Jr. Characterize the narrative voice. How much of the story is told from the point of view of a child and how much from the more-knowing point of view of the adult?

Michael, Jr. calls his father "the most honorable man I ever knew" (22). Do you agree? Why or why not?

What seems to be O'Sullivan's motivation in doing the work that he does? Does his motivation make sense to you?

Are any of O'Sullivan's killings justified? If so, which ones?

Characterize the relationship between O'Sullivan and his son. Do you consider O'Sullivan to be a good father?

Contrast the relationship of the O'Sullivans to the relationship of Looney and his son.

O'Sullivan frequently stops at Catholic churches to make his confession. Do you believe he is sincere in these confessions? Why or why not?

How do Michael's feelings about his father change after he realizes what his father does for a living?

How responsible is Michael, Jr. for the murder he commits?

Why does O'Sullivan switch to robbing banks? How complicit is Michael, Jr. in these crimes?

Characterize Michael Jr. How do you feel about his actions?

Why do you think Michael Jr. writes this memoir? Why do you think he ends up the way he does?

What is this novel saying about father-son relationships?

What is this novel saying about guilt and innocence, heaven and hell?

What is this novel saying about loyalty and revenge?

Further Exploration

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Review of Road to Perdition

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