Upgrade

How might the novel be different if it were told from a third-person point of view? How does the first-person POV deepen the tone?

Examine the role that guilt plays in the novel. How central is it as a source of motivation for the characters?

Discuss the novel’s ultimate stance on climate change. Does it suggest that climate catastrophe is inevitable, or does it suggest that this fate can be averted?

Evaluate the ways the novel creates and builds suspense. What kind of literary devices does Crouch employ to craft a riveting narrative?

Both of the novel’s primary villains, Miriam and Kara, are females. Discuss how Crouch employs and/or subverts traditional gender roles and whether this is in line with or a departure from the genre conventions.

Discuss the novel’s use of irony to add depth to its characters.

In the novel, the reader sees the town of Glasgow, Montana, under full quarantine with military protection. What are the ethical ramifications of this kind of quarantine? Is it ever justifiable to effectively imprison a victim? Make a case one way or the other.

Evaluate the function of the Epilogue. How necessary is it to the plot in general? What would the book lose thematically without it?