The major theme of this novel is one which is present in most of Cormier's works—the failure of adults, and the larger society, to nurture and train their children. Clearly society has failed these characters. The significant adults have failed and continue to fail these children.

Eric has not been taught about conventional "tenderness" and seeks it by killing young women. Lori has been failed by the men in her life who try to take advantage of her. In order to survive, both of these characters take what they know about human nature and use it to gratify themselves.

The co-existence of good and evil in each human is another theme of this powerful novel. All the characters are both monsters and victims. Cormier shows them navigating through life trying to establish their own identities, being confused about their sexuality, and trying to find a "little...