Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.
Kundera calls this novel structure "variations on a theme," and as such, it has more of the feel of a collection of short stories held together by setting and thematic concerns. Since the narrative line is not continuous from one part to the next, it's not really possible (or advisable) to look for an overarching exposition or resolution that ties the book together.
Keep movin', folks.