The Night Travellers

Set in the 1960’s, The Night Travelers, portrays America under the shadow of the Vietnam War and the counterculture that developed in opposition to the war. The characters reflect a time when often violent pressures affected the American community and family life. Kate Harbison is a socially ambitious scientist whose life revolves around her work, which includes testing chemical weapons on animals for the military. Kate’s daughter, Mary, who cares little for social distinction, falls in love with Jeff, an antiwar activist. Mary and Jeff’s life involves traveling at night on the run to escape the draft by crossing the border into Canada. Ultimately, the story reveals that only death can destroy the ties that bind.