Karla obviously cares for Lin, but even at the end of the novel, she refuses to say that she loves him. If she is willing to be with him, why does Lin need her to say that she loves him, and why is Karla so resistant to saying it?

Lin is an admitted felon, heroin user, war survivor, and occasional heavy drinker. These are facts that could cast his integrity as a narrator into doubt. Is Lin a reliable narrator? Why or why not?

Several times, Lin makes a point of telling people—and reminding himself—that he has never killed anyone, despite his frequent violent fights and his brutal incarcerations. Does Lin view the fact that he has never killed as a positive or negative? Discuss your reasons.