Chapter 17 — “Enthusiasts”: Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens on Easter weekend in Auckland, a city quieter than usual. Greta is on a date, though she doesn't know her date's name. She's in high spirits, enjoying the way her date says her name with a rolled R and the easy flow of their conversation. They share drinks and a Salmonella Dub pizza at Kiwi Music Bar, where her date pays after learning Greta is a university tutor.
Her date reveals she's a PhD student in biology, studying nitrogen signalling in plants. When Greta mentions her father, Linsh Vladisavljevic, the date recognizes the name—Linsh had uploaded a pronunciation guide to the university intranet, a small act that reflects his personality. This leads to a discussion about their families. The date moved from Edinburgh eight years ago, and Greta explains she lives with her older brother V, who hosts a travel show. She also shares the complicated story of her other brother, Casper: a teen dad who had a son, Tang, with a girl he barely knew. Tang came to live with the family after his caregiver died, and Casper later reunited with his wife, who is also named Greta.
Outside the theatre, the date asks directly if this is a date. Greta confirms, and they share a kiss. Greta invites her home, and only then does her date reveal her full name: Elizabeth Alexandra Livingstone—but she insists Greta never call her that.
Key Events
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Greta and her date meet at Kiwi Music Bar; the date pays for Greta's drink and pizza after learning she's a tutor.
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The date identifies herself as a biology PhD student studying nitrogen signalling in plants.
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Greta's date recognizes Linsh Vladisavljevic from his intranet pronunciation guide, sparking a conversation about names and family.
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Greta shares the story of her brother Casper's teen parenthood, including the birth of Tang, the death of Tang's caregiver, and Tang's eventual arrival at the family home.
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The date asks if they're on a date; Greta confirms, and they kiss.
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Greta invites her date home, and the date finally reveals her name: Elizabeth Alexandra Livingstone, with a request never to be called that.
Character Development
Greta shows a remarkable openness in this chapter. She willingly shares intimate family history—Casper's teen fatherhood, Tang's traumatic arrival, and even her father's puppet phobia—with someone she barely knows. This suggests a trusting, spontaneous side to her personality, and her willingness to invite a stranger home indicates a level of comfort and confidence. Her humour is also on display, from her quip about the job interview to her playful threat about the Beach Boys song.
Elizabeth Alexandra Livingstone (the date) is portrayed as perceptive and witty. She picks up on Greta's family dynamics quickly, asks pointed questions, and responds with empathy to the difficult parts of Greta's story. Her request to never be called by her full name hints at a complicated relationship with her own identity, which may be explored in later chapters.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Names and identity are central. Greta doesn't know her date's name for most of the chapter, and the date's full name is revealed only at the end, with a plea to never use it. This mirrors the theme of how names carry weight—Linsh's pronunciation guide, the other Greta, and the significance of being called by a chosen name.
Family secrets are laid bare: Casper's teen parenthood, Tang's origins, and the family's struggles with racism and judgment. Greta's candid retelling shows how these secrets have shaped her family's history.
Class differences appear through the contrast between Greta's world and the