The bookend character reminds me of, well, me at a younger age (excited, idiotic, confident, clueless etc.) and it was a bit uncomfortable to read that! Lenard's ability to then move into a more distinguished omniscient narrator voice, then to the elevated banter of the banquet itself, etc., is impressive. Hints of many classic authors and styles. Fun to lose myself in for awhile but it has me wanting to reread his Zone more than anything else.