Survive the Night: A Novel

Charlie’s conversation with Marge in the bathroom helps Charlie reach an epiphany about how women are blamed for violence against them. How well does Sager apply feminist ideas in this novel, and how does the portrayal of women in this novel reflect on Charlie’s statement? Why?

What effect does Sager’s structure and chapter division have on the novel’s pace and format? How does it reflect the thriller genre?

Compare the depictions of Josh/Jake and Robbie in the novel. How well does the novel execute their character portrayals and perspectives?

Charlie Jordan is an unreliable narrator throughout the novel. How does this impact the narrative structure of the novel? How does it contribute to the suspense in the narrative?

Charlie has an obsession with movies and makes references to various films, actors, and characters in the novel. How do these references fit into the novel? What role do they play in Charlie’s character arc?

The novel is set in November 1991. What is the relevance of this time period, and what reason(s) could Sager have had for choosing this time period?

Charlie has hallucinations that resemble movies. How well does the novel depict mental illness, and how do Charlie’s hallucinations reflect that depiction? Explain.

How does Sager use environment to create tension in the novel? What literary elements are used to depict these environments?