Suggestions
Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.Please wait while we process your payment
If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.
If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.
Please wait while we process your payment
By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy.
Don’t have an account? Subscribe now
Create Your Account
Sign up for your FREE 7-day trial
Already have an account? Log in
Your Email
Choose Your Plan
Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan!
Purchasing SparkNotes PLUS for a group?
Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more!
Price
$24.99 $18.74 /subscription + tax
Subtotal $37.48 + tax
Save 25% on 2-49 accounts
Save 30% on 50-99 accounts
Want 100 or more? Contact us for a customized plan.
Your Plan
Payment Details
Payment Summary
SparkNotes Plus
You'll be billed after your free trial ends.
7-Day Free Trial
Not Applicable
Renews April 8, 2023 April 1, 2023
Discounts (applied to next billing)
DUE NOW
US $0.00
SNPLUSROCKS20 | 20% Discount
This is not a valid promo code.
Discount Code (one code per order)
SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Free trial is available to new customers only.
Choose Your Plan
For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more!
You’ve successfully purchased a group discount. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. You'll also receive an email with the link.
Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership.
Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Continue to start your free trial.
Please wait while we process your payment
Your PLUS subscription has expired
Please wait while we process your payment
Please wait while we process your payment
The story’s older main character. Lucien is an art dealer and Nathaniel’s uncle, the husband of Nathaniel’s mother’s younger sister, Charlie. Lucien was born and bred in New York and has an intimate relationship with the city. He helped arrange for Nathaniel and his friends to live in an apartment owned by a client of his named Matsumoto. Lucien has not fully recovered from the grief of losing Charlie to cancer or from the trauma of 9/11 and feels that he’s growing very old.
Read an in-depth analysis of Lucien .
The story’s young protagonist. Nathaniel has come to New York from his hometown in the Midwest because has always envisioned himself living in the Big Apple. He works as an architect in the architectural division of the New York subway system but spends his free time drawing a semi-autobiographical comic that dramatizes the life of his hero Passivityman. He’s lived in Matsumoto’s apartment with his three best friends, Lyle, Amity, and Madison, for about three years.
Read an in-depth analysis of Nathaniel .
Lucien’s wife and the sister of Nathaniel’s mother. Charlie was born in America and met Lucian in New York. She was beautiful and artistic, which made her sister, Rose, jealous. Charlie died of cancer before Nathaniel moved to the city.
Nathaniel’s friend from college. Lyle sublets Matsumoto’s apartment and works as a sound technician in a theater. According to Nathaniel, Lyle’s “superpower” is his ability to arouse pity in anybody.
Nathaniel’s friend from college. Madison sublets Matsumoto’s apartment and recently quit his lucrative job working for a prestigious public relations firm. According to Nathaniel, Madison’s “superpower” is level-headedness. Madison recently learned he has a sister he never knew.
Nathaniel’s friend from college. Amity sublets Matsumoto’s apartment and works at a department store selling beauty products. She recently wrote a book about her experiences called Inner Beauty Secrets. Nathaniel believes her special trait is exploiting the weaknesses of others.
Nathaniel’s mother and the older sister of Lucien’s deceased wife, Charlie. Rose emigrated from Eastern Europe when she was just a child and has never fully recovered from the experience. She lives in the Midwest and is a practicing Jew.
Nathaniel’s father and Rose’s wife. Isaac immigrated to America from Eastern Europe with his family when he was a very young boy and never fully recovered from the traumatic experience. He works for a company that manufactures vacuum cleaners, a financially stable occupation. He is Jewish and a member of his local temple.
Nathaniel’s older, exotic female friend. Delphine is of Armenian decent and doesn’t think of herself as American. She came to New York seeking a romantic experience and dates rich, older men. She is very beautiful and attends Lucien’s fancy art parties.
A wealthy Japanese client of Lucien’s. Matsumoto has allowed Nathaniel and his friends to sublet his apartment while he is living outside New York. The apartment is very close to the site of the World Trade Center.
Please wait while we process your payment