Even though Memory with its rites of passage theme has a strong plot line, perhaps its most outstanding literary quality is the portrayal of vivid characters. Jonny Dart, the troubled protagonist, is a well-developed character.

When he involuntarily breaks into dance at points in the novel, he recalls his past partnership with his sister in the television tap-dancing team advertising Chickenbits. The nervous energy that this dancing represents is an important part of Jonny's persona. It represents his dangerous side that has led to drinking and brawling, that leads to confrontations with Nev and later Spike, and that causes him to see sex with Bonny as a means of gaining control over the past. This is the dark, dangerous, self-destructive side of Jonny that he refers to as the demon or the wolf. On the other hand, as Jonny gradually assumes responsibility for Sophie...