Introduction

The Contractor is the first novel to address the issue of American secret prisons in the war on terror. George Young is a devoted family man and Gulf War veteran who, when a hometown business venture flops, accepts work as a contracted civilian interrogator for the U.S. government. Soon he's overseas at a secret holding facility for suspected terrorists, a place called Omega. When a detainee dies in George's hands during a "routine" interrogation, George embarks on a painful journey of self-interrogation and discovery. In order to defend his country and his family, must George betray his humanity?

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Excerpt

Who are you?
Those were his last words. He had nothing to say about Zizoo. Then it seemed he gave up. Caught us all by surprise—Bertie, Jamal and me. You wonder. His wet hair plastered slick on his head, his eyelids fluttered. Gripping one of his arms below the bicep, I felt a tremor. Bertie felt it, too. Then he was gone. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. How does George’s relationship with his son Christopher compare to his attitude toward his work?
2. How does Bethany deal with her situation? What seems to be the general attitude toward women on this island?
3. According to George, why is Jamal’s job so difficult?
4. Why is the story of Cain and Abel mentioned? How might it reflect on George’s personal situation?
5. George’s encounter with Denise is a mistake and full of mishaps, but why does he behave this way?
6. What has changed in his relationship with Vernon?
7. What does George learn from Miss Breese?
8. What does George confess to Bertie? Why?
9. If George never finds out the truth about “Zizoo”, what might be the larger point of the story?
10. What is George’s promise to Christopher? What obstacles will exist for them?

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