Why did Karabekian's parents leave Turkey? What did they experience before they left? How did each of their experiences differ? Why did the Karabekians make the voyage to America?

Why did the Karabekians stay in San Ignacio when they found out there was no house? What were the after-effects of their experiences once they were in America? What effects, if any, were passed down to Rabo Karabekian?

What is Dan Gregory's relationship with Marilee Kemp? How does it differ from Karabekian's relationship with Marilee? Does Marilee change throughout the story, and if so, in what ways did she change? Is Marilee weak? Is she strong?

How did Karabekian amass such a large and valuable collection of abstract expressionist art? Where does he keep the paintings when he first gets them, and why? What does he do with the art once he moves into the...