English Book Club: A Visit from the Goon Squad Do you love great stories? Do books inspire you so much you long to talk about them? Share your views with fellow students in a cosy atmosphere led by award-winning novelist and Studieskolen teacher, Lakambini ’Bing’ Sitoy, author of the novel Sweet Haven.
This term the discussion centers around A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (2010). The novel is made up of connected stories that move across decades and between different characters.

Rather than following a single storyline, the book shows how lives overlap, change and are remembered in different ways over time. Some chapters feel like traditional stories, while others experiment with voice and form – offering new ways of thinking about what a novel can be.
Each session will take one or two chapters as a starting point for discussion. You are welcome whether or not you have read in advance: we will focus on key passages together and use them to explore larger questions about character, time and storytelling.

On the first day, we will get to know each other and begin exploring the world of A Visit from the Goon Squad together. Bing will introduce the novel, its structure, themes and characters, and we will read and discuss selected passages as a group. The focus will be on sharing first impressions, discussing ideas and becoming familiar with the style and themes of the novel in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Along the way, we’ll ask:

• How does time shape who we become?


• What can we learn about a person from just a moment in their life?


• How do different ways of telling a story change what it means?

• see the plan for the course, the individual teaching sessions and homework


• see teaching materials including extra materials such as videos


• communicate with your teacher and your fellow students


• follow up and catch up on lessons missed if you are absent during the course