U.

U. is the narrator and main character of the novel Satin Island by Tom McCarthy. An anthropologist by study, trade, and employment at the Company, U., in emulation of his hero Levi-Strauss, wishes to find a greater, deeper, connecting truth behind humankind.

U. is tasked with working on the Project and the Great Report, during which time he considers the nature and meaning of truth, and during which time he pursues a relationship with Madison. The Project and the Report transform U. from a disinterested observer to a passionate believer in truth, but the experience disillusions U. because truth proves elusive.

U. finally comes to accept the truth that other truths may never be known, and this satisfies him to continue pursuing truth where he can. Likewise, U., who had recently approached all of his human interactions as anthropological case studies in life, is reminded that life is...