There is one thing in my mind that sets this book dramatically far apart from other works within the genre of post-apocalyptic novels and that is the lethargic, depressing tendencies of the main character. It could also be with the category of a horror title, leaning towards an end of the world type fear with nasty creatures involved. While this very classic human, especially American trait of the main character is very realistic, it is not common in the hero of the story in books of this genre. The survivors are meant to be tougher than steel, incredibly resourceful, and unimaginably lucky. While our character somewhat fulfills two of these traits, tough is not the word I would use at all to describe him. Perhaps numb to the pain of living with a couple glasses of whiskey in him (which is frequent), but most definitely not tough. Frequently smoking, he retains many of his normal suburban lifestyle habits, as if battling vampires is his 9 to 5 job.
He struggles with day to day necessities, with the exception of brushing his teeth. While he manages to get important jobs done, his does it with much hesitation and procrastination. Most things he tells himself will get done another day, perhaps a rainy day. Does that sound the ultimate survivor, battling the odds of natural selection? The only thing he truly manages to battle valiantly is his cavities.
