Hai

Hai is the main character of The Emperor of Gladness. At the novel’s beginning, he is 19 years old. He just dropped out of his college program at Pace University in New York City. This decision was inspired by the death of Hai’s best friend and lover Noah. His grandmother’s death also precipitated Hai’s intense bout of depression. His mom's disappointment with him for abandoning his education only intensifies Hai's sense of failure. To appease her, he lies and says he will be attending medical school in Boston. In secret, he returns to his hometown of East Gladness, Connecticut instead and checks himself into rehab at New Hope. Hai has been addicted to pills for over five years.

Although New Hope does not immediately transform Hai, his ability to ask for help with his addiction conveys his desire to change. At the same time, Hai...