Alas, Babylon

The novel really emphasizes the strength of close-knit communities in crisis. Did anyone else feel that the setting made the characters' bonds feel more real and impactful?

The story feels so grounded in ordinary lives facing extraordinary circumstances. I'm curious what led Pat Frank to portray survival through civilians rather than heroes.

The story takes time to develop characters and their struggles before ramping up the danger. Was that intentional to make the stakes feel more real?