Summary

The first chapter of the novel insinuates that its main protagonist, Nathaniel P. (Nate) is something of an “asshole,” at least considered so by a secondary character, Juliette. Chapter two, however, directly claims that he is one, in the eyes of more than just one person. The entirety of Chapter 2 works as a biography of Nate’s past—from his childhood up to the point where Chapter 1 ends, his burgeoning interest in Hannah.

Nate is the son of Jewish immigrants with good jobs, working for defense contractors. He went to Jewish day school, and back then, though he was not much to look at, but was not repulsive in appearance. He was strong at math with a 4.0 GPA, the type who was placed in advanced classes, good at soccer and baseball but not exactly an athlete. He was your basic nice guy to girls...