Character guide

Sylvia Tietjens

major

Also known as Sylvia, Tietjens, Private Smith

Christopher Tietjens' estranged wife, a beautiful and manipulative socialite.

Valentine Wannop

major

Also known as Valentine, Wannop, Val

A suffragist and Christopher Tietjens' love interest, a strong-willed young woman.

Christopher Tietjens

major

Also known as Tietjens, Xtopher Tietjens, Tietjen, Major Tietjens, Fat Man Tietjens

The protagonist, a brilliant but tormented English gentleman and army officer.

Edith Ethel Duchemin

supporting

Also known as Edith Ethel, Ethel

A wealthy widow and later Lady Macmaster, a central figure in social circles.

Nancy Truefitt

supporting

Also known as Nancy, Tietjens

A young woman connected to the Tietjens family, often in Sylvia's orbit.

General Lord Edward Campion

supporting

Also known as Ted, Campion, old Campion, General Campion

A high-ranking army officer and friend of the Tietjens family.

Captain Mckechnie

supporting

Also known as Mckechnie, the Colonel

A fellow officer and colleague of Christopher Tietjens in the army.

Miss Wanostrocht

supporting

Headmistress of a girls' school where Valentine Wannop works.

Lieutenant Aranjuez

supporting

Also known as Aranjuez, little Aranjuez

A young, excitable officer under Tietjens' command.

Lady Macmaster

supporting

Also known as Macmaster

Edith Ethel after her marriage, a social climber and hostess.

Sir Vincent Macmaster

supporting

Also known as Vincent Macmaster, Vincent, little Vincent Macmaster

A literary critic and friend of Christopher, later knighted.

Lance-Corporal Duckett

minor

Also known as Duckett, the boy Duckett

A young soldier in Tietjens' battalion.

Captain Gibbs

minor

Also known as Gibbs

An officer serving alongside Tietjens.

Gerald Duckworth

minor

Also known as Duckworth

A publisher and acquaintance of the Tietjens circle.

Pettigul

minor

Also known as Pettigul One

A soldier in Tietjens' unit.

Perowne

minor

An officer and acquaintance, often mentioned in passing.

Lieutenant Constantine

minor

Also known as Constantine

A junior officer in the battalion.

Terence

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or soldier.

Sergeant Cutts

minor

A non-commissioned officer in Tietjens' company.

General Puffles

minor

Also known as poor old Puffles

An elderly general, a figure of mild ridicule.

Miss Eleanor

minor

A teacher or governess in the Wannop household.

Sister Anne

minor

Also known as Nancy

A nun or nurse, possibly a minor religious figure.

Old Mr. Tietjens

minor

Also known as Mr. Tietjens

Christopher's father, a traditional Yorkshire gentleman.

Mrs. Wannop

minor

Valentine's mother, a widow and intellectual.

Cockshott

minor

A minor character, possibly a soldier or servant.

Slocombe

minor

A minor character, possibly a soldier.

Bemerton

minor

A minor character, possibly a soldier or officer.

Miss Wannop

minor

Another daughter of Mrs. Wannop, Valentine's sister.

Brother Mark

minor

Also known as Brother

A religious figure, possibly a monk or brother.

Notting

minor

A minor character, possibly a soldier.