44 pages 1 hour read

Jonathan Lethem

Motherless Brooklyn

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999

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Chapter 6Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 6 Summary: “Auto Body”

When Lionel gets into the Zendo, he finds the elusive and mysterious Gerard alone in an upstairs bedroom, sitting by candlelight, propped up on pillows, his legs crossed, “his posture calm” (228). Lionel confronts Gerard with his suspicions about his involvement in his own brother’s murder and his guesswork about the sinister underworld of Fujisaki Corporation itself. Gerard, smiling calmly, dismisses Lionel’s accusations and assures Lionel that Lionel knows little about who Frank really was: “The worse I attacked him,” Lionel admits, “the deeper his forgiveness and grace would be—that’s what the smile said” (232). Gerard cryptically tells Lionel only that Fujisaki is a ruthless and remorseless corporation and that to protect its investments its agents were willing to turn to violence. He cautions Lionel that Tony was quickly becoming a loose cannon and that he may draw the ire of the corporation. 

Lionel heads back to L&L. It is 2:30 in the morning, and, through the front window, he sees Tony and Danny inside. He decides to wait and watch from a stoop across the street. A car pulls up to the building, and Lionel is stunned to see the giant. The giant waits, also watching Tony and Danny. Freezing, Lionel moves to one of L&L’s parked cars, a Tracer, taking satisfaction in now being on a real stakeout.