Elizabeth

Elizabeth is the main character and first person narrator of the novel. She grows up in Florida in a wealthy family, with parents' whose love seems contingent upon achievement. Perpetually restless, Elizabeth attaches herself as a teenager to her best friend Sasha. Sasha is the only person with whom she feels balanced and safe. The two remain close throughout school, and on into college. However, as Sasha's attentions become divided by romantic relationships, Elizabeth grows increasingly depressed. Her relationship with Sasha distances, recovering only when the two take a trip to Taiwan together while both pursuing higher educations. During the trip, Sasha gets pregnant, decides to keep the baby, and returns to the States. Instead of going with her, Elizabeth stays overseas. Then, when Sasha loses the baby, Elizabeth fails to support her in the way she needs. They stop talking almost altogether.

Amidst her six years of...