Finn

Finn is one of the main characters of the novel. His character's storyline features in the portions of the narrative written from the third person point of view. At the start of the novel, Finn arrives in New York City. He has traveled from Navy Lake to see his brother Max. Max has been living with cancer for several years and is now in hospice care.

On his way to the hospice, Finn reflects on his life and circumstances. He is a school teacher, but has recently been suspended from his job. Although a committed instructor, he has frequent conflicts with the headmaster and his wife Sigrid. To distract himself, Finn also tries compiling a list of funny stories and jokes to tell Max during his hospice visit.

Throughout his time at the hospice, Finn and Max reminisce about their childhoods and past. When Max asks about Finn's...