1. Describe Laurie's personality. Why do you suppose that he dislikes his stepmother, grandmother, and sister so much? How do his attitudes towards his family change during the course of the novel?

2. What if anything do those who fall under the spell of "The Trippy Show" have in common? Why is Angela particularly susceptible? Why do you suppose "Wild Bill" Hockey was affected?

3. Why is the idea of being "capped" so repulsive to Laurie?

4. Why is "The Trippy Show" apparently so effective? What does Christopher seem to be saying about television in general?

5. How do the Cordays manage to use the tripods' mind control against those on the plane they hijack?

6. Why do the tripods seem to encourage xenophobia and the elimination of all science and technology?

7. Based on your reading of the novel, discuss whether you think humanity will ever be able to defeat...