Student Question

What is the setting of Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman?

Quick answer:

The setting of Neal and Jarrod Shusterman's Dry is present-day Southern California, likely in the near future. The novel imagines society's breakdown due to extreme drought conditions, focusing on typical Southern California suburbs with easy access to mountains and beaches. The story reflects real-life drought challenges and their impact on the region.

Expert Answers

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Neal Shusterman's Dry is set in the present day United States. More specifically, the novel takes place in Southern California. A more specific time period would likely be the near future. The novel explores what society might degrade to if the droughts in that region were turned up to extreme levels. As it currently stands in 2019, very few parts of California are in a drought; however, recent years in the area have seen extreme drought conditions that have resulted in raging fires and even some deaths from dehydration. The novel takes place in typical Southern California suburbs that give easy access to both mountains and beaches, as evidenced by how the main characters travel to the beach and into the mountains within a few hours of leaving their neighborhood.

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