I liked the novel over all, but I never erally understood the purpose of some character. The doctor, for example. Is he just there to make Lucy happy and, through her, get introduced to Michael and so, fix his face?
And Nino...is he just there to further Johnny's character? Or to show the old ties of friendship, even while Nino was self-destructing?

"Bacio tua mano."

"But...it was so artistically done."