Leviathan Wakes

Examine the romantic relationship between Holden and Naomi, from Naomi’s initial rejection of Holden despite having past feelings to later inviting him home. What inspires this shift? Is their relationship founded on attraction and affection, or is it grounded in other elements such as mutual respect, shared experiences, or situational dependence? How does this portrayal of their romance contribute to the novel’s exploration of human connections and interpersonal dynamics?

Analyze the depiction of socioeconomic inequity in the book. How do the authors establish that there is inequality in the solar system, and how does this depiction of racism and class discrimination compare to society today? What message does this suggest about human development over millennia?

Discuss the novel’s portrayal of gender, including how characters, situations, and societal constructs inform that depiction. Does the novel challenge or reinforce traditional gender norms? How do these portrayals affect plot, character, and thematic development? Cite specific examples to support your response.

How does Leviathan Wakes figure into the tradition of science fiction? Which subgenre—soft, hard, space opera, etc.—does the story best exemplify? How do worldbuilding, tone, atmosphere, and other techniques help develop this universe? To support your answer, consider the depiction of technology in the story, particularly the inclusion of low and high tech. What is the purpose of emphasizing low tech in science fiction, especially in a tale set so far in the future?

The story is primarily told through the alternating perspectives of Joe Miller and Jim Holden. How does the tone differ between the chapters told from Miller’s point of view and those from Holden’s? What effect does the shifting perspective and narrative voice have on the story’s momentum and thematic development?

Leviathan Wakes includes many adversarial forces, including characters like Dresden, weapons like the Protomolecule, and traits like corporate greed and exploitation. Assess the narrative’s portrayal of these adversaries, their motivations, and the impact of their actions. Who or what is the primary antagonist in the story? What role does this antagonistic force play in shaping the story’s meaning and themes?

The story features many settings, including Ceres, Eros, the Rocinante, and the vast expanse of space. Select one of these settings and examine how it enhances the narrative. Consider its description and the events that occur there, and explore how this depiction contributes to the narrative’s richness and thematic development.

Leviathan Wakes frequently alludes to Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, which debuted in 1605. For example, Holden names the Rocinante after Don Quixote’s horse. Miller falls in love with Julie Mao without ever meeting her, just as Quixote becomes enamored with Dulcinea, whom he never meets. The idiom “tilting at windmills,” referenced throughout the series, derives from the scene where Quixote attacks windmills, mistaking them for giants. Miller and Holden both embody different aspects of Quixote’s characterization as a hapless knight-errant who roves the land searching for adventures to test his chivalrous ideals. How do these allusions to the medieval Don Quixote enrich the futuristic Leviathan Wakes? How do they develop the story’s characters, motifs, and key themes, particularly its commentary on human nature?