Narrator (Lazi)

At the start of the novel, the anonymous, first-person narrator inserts herself into the novel as the 22-year-old writer of the novel. The narrator's growth tracks the plot of the novel, as it unpacks the narrative of her coming of age during college.

She identifies as a lesbian, though her sexuality and gender causes her much internal conflict. She falls in love with characters Shui Ling and Xiao Fan. To cope with this internal conflict, she abuses alcohol and burns herself.

She studies writing in school and litters her novel with cultural allusions, especially avant-garde artists and countercultural thinkers. She obsesses over her work with the Debate Society for a period of time to distract herself from her feelings for Shui Ling and other women.

Additionally, the genderless crocodile plays her alter ego throughout the novel. Later, the character Tun Tun affectionately nicknames her Lazi.

The crocodile