Saul Adler

Saul Adler is the central character / protagonist. The novel begins by exploring details from Saul’s past from Saul’s perspective before widening to include the views of other characters later in the novel, casting new light on Saul’s earlier actions and his interpretations of events. Saul was scarred as a child by the death of his mother and his subsequent mistreatment at the hands of his father and brother. Saul’s mistreatment as a child leads him to treat others badly as an adult, although Saul lacks the self-awareness necessary to realize this for himself.

During the first 14 chapters, during which Saul is the sole author of the narrative and therefore the sole interpreter of the events he relives, Saul is depicted as a victim: of the man who drove into him on Abbey Road, of his cruel and abusive father and brother, of his...