1. In the book the different characters give different reasons for the nuclear catastrophe. Bill Harnden says "It was science and technology that invented the bomb and devastated the earth." Catherine says: "God looked on the earth and saw it was wicked."

Dwight blames power-mad leaders and thinks that ordinary citizens should have "gotten off their backsides and questioned what was going on." How much do any of these comments resemble our own world? Do you agree with any of them? Why or why not?

2. If you had to live in the novel's world after the nuclear war, would you rather be born into the bunker society or that of the outsiders? Do you think the book gives an accurate picture of what life would be like in each place?

3. In the first section Sarah's stepmother Veronica seals one room of the house and puts...