The Brush Off by Shane Maloney

Discussion questions

For those interested, Shane Maloney has a website http://www.shanemaloney.com/ (it gave me a few laughs!)



1. Was anyone previously familiar with the author (Shane Maloney) or lead character (Murray Whelan)? (I wasn’t, but where have I been?? He has written 6 novels and 2 of them have been made into telemovies starring David Wenham).

2. At our last meeting, I told you all that Peter could not read the book because it was “too pornographic”. Was anyone disappointed?

3. This is the second art-based book that we have read this year, the first being “Theft: a love story” by Peter Carey. Compare this book to “Theft”. What are the similarities? What are the differences? Which did you prefer? (See below for a few paragraphs to jog your memories)

4. Would you classify this book as a “who-dun-it” / detective novel? Why or why not? What elements are necessary for a detective story?

5. There were a lot of “one-liners” in this book. Discuss your favourites.

6. Did this book offer you any insight into the world of politics? Of the arts? Of Melbourne?

7. Would you read another Murray Whelan thriller?