A mystery novel with the theme of fear… could things get any more predictable? Actually yes, because Sedgwick does some truly interesting stuff with fear here. Unlike a low-grade horror novel about cheap fears and thrills, Revolver explores many different types of human fears. Sig is super afraid of Wolff in a way he never has been before; Einar is scared his wife and kids won't make it in their new home; and Anna worries that Wolff will kill her, or worse. Fear is more than just a thing that goes bump in the night in this book—it's the scary-pants glue that binds all the novel's layers together.
Questions About Fear
- When Sig and Anna are afraid, what do they do to calm their fears? How is their reaction similar or opposite to their parents'?
- Is it Einar's fault he's afraid of being caught? Are we asked to see his fear differently from everyone else's, or is it all the same?
- Is Wolff afraid of anything? What? How does his reaction to fear also help us characterize him?
Chew on This
Although Sig performs every action with the deliberate purpose of appearing fearless, he is ultimately ruled by fear—the fear of appearing to have fear.
Once Sig overcomes his fear of Wolff and the unknown, he begins to take control of his life.