Michael Without Apology

Michael is the protagonist, and he is 19 years old in the narrative present. In the sections that take place in the past, he is seven and eight years old. Michael is born to Livie and Miles Costa. He lives with them and his biological brother, Thomas Costa, until he is severely injured in a fireworks accident when he is seven. He then goes to live with his foster parents, Judy and Charles Woodbine, who adopt him a year later. The fireworks accident, his parents’ drug and alcohol addictions, and their failure to take care of him and decision to put him up for adoption comprise Michael’s childhood trauma. Michael tamps down his residual anger over these events throughout his adolescence and early adult life. His avoidance is a self-defense and coping mechanism.

Michael is a dynamic character who changes over the course of the novel due to his experiences and friendships. In college, Michael takes a film class with Professor Robert Dunning, which opens him up to a new way of seeing the world and himself. Mr. Dunning is also a burn survivor with severe childhood trauma. Dunning inspires Michael to accept himself without apologizing.