Finn is the narrator and tragic protagonist of Part 1, and his loss casts a shadow over the rest of the novel. He has recently turned 19 and has just graduated high school, and he is described as tall and long-legged with light hair. He was a soccer player in high school and was talented enough that he made varsity. Finn plans to go to college in Springfield with his best friend, Jack, and Autumn. Finn excels at math and science, and he plans to pursue pre-med: He is especially interested in how the brain functions. The novel characterizes Finn as well-loved by everyone and very popular. For instance, Jack reflects after Finn’s death that people at parties may have only accepted Jack because he was Finn’s best friend.

Finn has been raised by a single, unwed mother whose pregnancy seemed to be the result of a brief liaison. His father, John, does not have a relationship with Finn beyond setting aside money in a trust fund and buying him ostentatious gifts, including the expensive red car that Finn crashes and a large television that he planned to give Finn for his dorm room.