Unnamed politicians

Most politicians are not called by name throughout the book. Particularly, the local politicians that oversaw conditions in Toms River are anonymous. Why do you think Fagin skips naming them?

Author's use of foreshadowing

How does the author use foreshadowing to set up future events in the book? How is the reader able to guess that pollution probably caused the cancer, but there would be no proof?

Is Ciba-Geigy to blame?

Do you think the author presents a strong case that pollution from either Ciba-Geigy or the Reich Farm contributed to the cancers in town? Why or why not? What other factors could have been involved?

Alternating history

The author shuffles segments about physicians hundreds of years ago with segments about things happening in Toms River a few decades ago. What was Fagin's purpose in shifting between ancient history and recent history throughout the course...