Barry Cohen

Barry Cohen is the novel’s main character. Barry’s mother died in a car accident when Barry was young. Barry was raised by his father, who leaned pools for a living. As a boy, Barry was embarrassed by his father’s lack of professional success. Barry was also embarrassed by his own inability to make friends. As Barry grew up, he focused on attaining strong social skills and financial success. He attended Princeton University, began working at Goldman Sachs after graduation, and eventually founded his own successful financial trading firm. He married a successful lawyer named Seema, but he was saddened when their young son Shiva was diagnosed with autism.

At the beginning of the enteral narrative, Barry flees his home following a fierce argument with his wife. Barry decides to leave his old life behind and go on a journey of personal discovery. He takes...