Who is Jane Takagi-Little? What is significant about her name? Who are her biological parents? Why does Jane need a job? Why does she agree to produce a Japanese reality show? What is this show about? How does Jane change the format of the show over the course of the plot? Why? What is the outcome of this for Jane? For the show?

Who is Akiko Ueno? Why does Akiko throw up all her meals? Is this physical or mental? What impact does this have on Akiko's body? Why? Does her husband have sympathy for this condition? Why or why not? Is Akiko happy in her marriage? How does the reader know this? What does Akiko plot to do at the end of the novel? Why does Akiko reach out to Jane? Why does Akiko run away?

Who is Sloan? What role does he...