The main character is Quentin Jacobsen, an average boy growing up in Orlando, Florida. After spending so much time with him, I've realized how amazing it can be to get to know a person who, after the story's over ceases to exist.
Quentin, or Q is pretty average in the beginning. He has plenty of faults, like the fact that he never seems to be able to show up on time, or that he can be completely paranoid. Q takes education to high regards, seeing as he always has an excuse to dodge missing school.
One of Q's characteristics is that he knows when to shut up and listen, but knows when to add the comic relief. He always listens to Ben when he complains about not having a prom date, but knows when it's OK to poke fun. I found myself loving his sarcastic comments almost as much as his sweet ones.
He also had a great sense of humor, along with a sharp wit. Some of his comments were so hilarious, while others took some thought to find the humor. He also was the king of grammar, never failing to correct mistakes.
Things start to change when Margo goes missing. Q gains focus to the larger picture, and seems to really have a purpose. He lets go of most of his paranoia, but manages to keep up his tardiness. He manages to seem like he's stayed the same, but being inside his head, readers can register the change.
The biggest thing that changes is his perception. He shifts from the average person tone to one that challenged me to think deeper about things that seem too simple, but in actuality are so complex. I really noticed the shift after he started to find Margo's clues, but the end of the shift happens just before the book ends.
Q's reliability is something that remains constant throughout the novel. Even when he's in an abandoned mini mall in the middle of the night, he is still willing to go pick up his drunk friends from a party. Another example is when Ben suffered the humiliation after a rude rumor, Q is still willing to be friends with him. Q is one of those people who is always there when you need them, and I think that helps explain why he goes to all the trouble he does to find Margo.
Overall, If Q were a real person, I think I would love to be his friend, because even though he has his quirks, he still has the characteristics of a great person. It made me realize how much you can get attached to someone in a novel, because I know I'm going to miss Q now that the book has ended.
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