Radleys (Haig) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
1. In the opening lines the author describes the Radley household as one that "you would observe . . . and think that this is the property of perfectly normal human beings who pose no threat to the outside world. If you let yourself think this, you would be wrong" (p. 6). How "normal" are the Radleys? Despite their vampire background, do they have the same struggles as every other "normal" family?

2. What is The Abstainer's Handbook? What do Peter and Will each think about it? Why do you think the author chose to interject various quotes from The Abstainer's Handbook throughout the course of the novel?

3. On the surface, Rowan and Clara Radley seem to suffer from the same problems of every adolescent: bullies, schoolwork, popularity, etc. How are their adolescent issues magnified by the fact that they are vampires? Does life get easier or harder once they find out their family secret?

4. What causes Helen to realize that their "nurture over nature" parenting lifestyle has failed? Do you believe that an incident like Clara's was bound to happen sooner or later?

5. After Clara's incident each member of the Radley family struggles with the temptation to indulge in their thirst for blood. Discuss how each family member responds to the temptation. Whose response shocked you the most and why?

6. When we first meet Uncle Will he seems to be the complete opposite of his brother Peter. As the novel progresses, we discover they are more alike than we think they are. How so? What caused the rift between them? What are Will's arguments against an "unblood" lifestyle? What happens to Will over the course of his visit to the Radley household?

7. All of the main characters in The Radleys struggle with their desires. The Abstainer's Handbook states: "We have to learn that the things we desire are very often the things which could lead to our own self-destruction." (p. 88) Discuss this quotation with respect to Will, Peter, Helen, and Jared.

8. Clara argues, "Everyone represses everything." (p. 287) Do you believe this to be true? Is The Radleys an argument for denying or embracing who you really are?

9. The Unnamed Predator Unit hunts vampires but operates under the logic that by "granting immunity to some of the most depraved [vampires], they were able to exert an influence on them and curb some of their activities." (p. 165)Do you agree with this mentality? Why do you think Will is removed from their "immunity" list? Do you think the "new" Radleys have anything to worry about from the UPU?

10. Near the end of The Radleys there is an excerpt from The Abstainer's Handbook that reads "If you weaken, if you choose pleasure over principle . . . then you will never be able to know tomorrow . . . is it really worth rolling the dice?"(p. 351) How do you think the Radley family would answer? How would you answer?

11. The Radleys seem like a perfectly normal family except for the fact that they are vampires. How are the problems they face similar to or different from that of any other normal family? How many of their problems do you think are actually rooted in them being vampires?

12. Do you think their vampirism functions as a metaphor for something else? If so, what could their being vampires represent?

13. What do you think of the ending? How has embracing their true natures enabled the Radleys to live more fully? How does it affect other people in their lives?
(Discussion Questions issued by publisher.)

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