Summary

Chapter nineteen shows what Karl was doing three days before Eleanor collapses at the end of the previous chapter. It opens on him high on marijuana, sitting on the sofa in his living room appreciating the large sculptures displayed before him. His thoughts on his sculptures lead to reflection about his venture into knife-making.

Karl has sold only five of his glass knives in the three months he has been making them. He attributes this to people neither understanding the purpose of his creations, which are meant to only last for one use, nor the bygone era that he considers knives to be symbolic of. The thoughts of his failure to make a living with these knives cause him to reflect on his failing romantic relationships.

He finds himself missing his wife. On the bookshelf beside him are copies of Eleanor’s novels, none...