Everything Is Illuminated Chapter 25 Summary

How It All Goes Down

24 December 1997

  • Alex decides that he and Jonathan shouldn't critique each other's writing any more.
  • With that out of the way, he recalls a recent event in which he went down to the beach to think, and Grandfather followed him there.
  • Grandfather wants Alex's savings so that he can find Augustine.
  • He won't take Alex or Little Igor with him: he wants to go alone.
  • Alex doesn't think that Grandfather will ever find Augustine, and he wonders what to do.
  • He also wants Jonathan to know that he could never accept the money from him. It's not about the money; it's about principle: "This is about choosing. Can you understand? Please attempt to. You are the only person who has understood even a whisper of me, and I will tell you that I am the only person who had understood even a whisper of you" (25.50).
  • Aw, BFFs.