I haven’t finished the book yet, but I’m guessing that Eddie is important - he is, after all, the first character that we meet. I think of him as representing the audience for whom she is writing the book - he is not one of the movers and shakers, but he is rooting for them, and is not one of the looters, nor is he apathetic as to what is going on.
Keep my questions about Eddie in mind...he has an obvious role in the book, what you think about him so far is accurate. I’d be interested to hear what you think of him and his fate later.