The Man Who Gave Up His Name, Chapter 1 Summary

The Man Who Gave Up His Name is a short novel about Nordstrom, who finds his life as a successful businessman unsatisfying. After his divorce, he moves across the country, seeking to redefine himself. He decides to give away all his money and move again to work in a seafood restaurant.

In college, Nordstrom signs up for a dance class where he watches and lusts after Laura. At the end of the semester, he performs his final exam dance blindfolded, and is mortified to discover that Laura has watched. A year later, Nordstrom goes into a tavern to get out of the rain, and Laura is there. She asks why he never called. Nordstrom warms to the sorority and fraternity crowd when he beats the athletes at arm wrestling...