Joe is a narcissistic serial killer who is incapable of thinking of anything but his own needs for very long. In your opinion, is he the protagonist of the novel? Why or why not? Even though Joe narrates the story, can the protagonist of a novel have evil motives and remain the protagonist?

Joe lives a superficial existence—a curated persona of articulate, concerned kindness—that allows him to avoid detection. This charade is analogous to the lives that many people portray on social media, where they can choose exactly how much of their lives other people are allowed to see. Why, then, does Joe see social media as such a negative for society?

Various characters throughout the novel are obsessed with the concept of fame, being near famous people, and becoming famous themselves. How is Forty’s relationship with fame different than Henderson’s? How do these two men differ from someone like Delilah, who came to LA to succeed in Hollywood?