Chapter five of this book
Chapter five of this book details a main character who nearly goes west with an alligator. One of the characters in this book is attempting to improve his "schlemihlhood" and that same character is friends with the artist Slab, a catatonic expressionist. The titular character of this work first appears in Cairo during (*) her youth, and then later as a Manichean priest. The second chapter of this book introduces the reader to "The Whole Sick Crew." For 10 points, name this novel that details the the adventures of Benny Profane's gang, as well as the relationship between the mysterious title character and the Stencil family, a work of Thomas Pynchon.
Chapter five of this book details a main character who nearly goes west with an alligator.
{V.}