Stories from the Otto Bin Empire book club questions

Stories from the Otto Bin Empire is an inspiring collection of stories from bestselling author, Judy Nunn. Each of the six captivating tales introduces a different member of the Otto Bin Empire – the homeless men and women who gather down by the docks.

Tragedy and betrayal, sacrifice and salvation, redemption and hope are all on display. These stories are sure to spark discussions about families and the many shapes and sizes they come in.

Discussion points and questions

• As we see from the Prologue, Judy was inspired by the story of a homeless man who spends his $50 windfall on food to share with his mates. There are many acts of kindness throughout this book – how do they strengthen the idea of the Otto Bin Empire as individuals and as a group?  
• As the saying goes, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, because you can never know someone’s full story. Discuss the ways Judy challenges common stereotypes about the homeless through her characters.
• Madge thinks of Sally and Adam as ‘Two lost kids who want to stay lost’. What unique challenges do the young characters face compared to the older members of the Empire? What is the relationship between various generations?
• How does each story (to a greater or lesser degree) reflect the tagline: ‘Families come in all shapes and sizes’?  How do the characters in the Otto Bin Empire create a sense of community and belonging?
• Judy has brought us the Otto Bin Empire through a series of short stories, based around individuals. How does this structure effectively reinforce the themes of the book?
• For Benny and Madge, sharing their stories proves transformative. Others, like Johnny and Sally, choose to withhold theirs. What are the consequences of both approaches and how does this play into ideas of self-determination and fate? Is there freedom in putting words to experience?
• Were you surprised that Johnny found life in prison to be ‘safer’? Or that Benny preferred to sleep in the park rather than move into a hostel? What do you think drives their motivations, and what does it say about society as a whole?
• Reginald himself admits he doesn’t really know why he is so fascinated by Sally. Do you have any thoughts on why she stood out to him as a subject for his poem? How does his art intersect with his reality?
• ‘The old bloke looked lonely, desperate even, which definitely made him potential employer material.’ What were your initial thoughts about the way Johnny chose to ‘go straight’? Did your views on this change by the end of the story?
• Discuss the role of nicknames, both spoken and unspoken, in the Otto Bin community - like Syd the dero, Oskar the Pole, Mamma Madge and Criminal Johnny. How do the characters embody their names, or resist or transform them?

Interested? Start reading Stories from the Otto Bin Empire here.