Character guide

The Narrator

major

Also known as I, me, my

The unnamed first-person narrator, a successful novelist reflecting on his past and literary circles.

Roy Kear

major

Also known as Roy, Alroy Kear, Mr. Alroy Kear, Mr. Kear

A pushy, ambitious novelist who pesters the narrator to write about the late Edward Driffield.

Rosie Driffield

major

Also known as Rosie, Mrs. Driffield, Rosie Gann, Mrs. Gann, Poor Rosie, Rose Iggulden

Edward Driffield's first wife, a warm, free-spirited barmaid with a scandalous past.

Edward Driffield

major

Also known as Driffield, Edward, Ted Driffield, Ted, Good old Ted

A once-famous novelist, now elderly and revered, whose early life and marriages are scrutinized.

Mrs. Barton Trafford

supporting

Also known as Barton Trafford, Barton, Mrs. Trafford, Mrs. Barton

A literary hostess who took the young Driffields under her wing, later dropping them.

Lord George Kemp

supporting

Also known as George Kemp, George, Kemp, Mr. George Kemp

A Blackstable businessman and later peer, involved with Rosie Driffield.

Mary-Ann

minor

Also known as Mary - Ann

The narrator's aunt's maid at Blackstable, a childhood acquaintance.

Mrs. Hudson

minor

Also known as Hudson, Udson, Mrs. 'Udson

The narrator's aunt's cook-housekeeper in Blackstable.

Old Mr. Driffield

minor

Also known as Mr. Driffield, old Driffield

Edward Driffield's father, a farmer in Blackstable.

The Driffields

minor

Also known as the Driffields

The collective Driffield family, often referred to as a unit.

Harry Retford

minor

Also known as Harris, Good old Harry, dear Henry, Harry

A friend of the narrator's youth, a cheerful, improvident man.

Jack Kuyper

minor

Also known as Kuyper, Jack

A Dutch sea captain and one of Rosie's lovers.

Jasper Gibbons

minor

A poet and acquaintance of the Driffields in their London days.

Quentin Forde

minor

Also known as Forde

A young man who was a friend of the Driffields in London.

Amelia Driffield

supporting

Also known as Amelia, Amy Driffield, Amy

Edward Driffield's second wife, a former nurse, proper and respectable.

Mr. Galloway

minor

Also known as Galloway, Poor Mr. Galloway

The vicar of Blackstable, a kind and scholarly man.

Lady Hodmarsh

minor

A society hostess who champions the elderly Driffield.

Poor Edward

minor

Also known as Edward

A reference to Edward Driffield in his later, diminished state.

Lionel Hillier

minor

Also known as Hillier

A literary critic and friend of the narrator.

Allgood Newton

minor

Also known as Newton, Allgood

A fellow novelist and contemporary of the narrator.

The Doctor

minor

The local doctor in Blackstable, a minor figure.

Poor Old Smith

minor

Also known as Smith

A minor character mentioned in passing, likely a local.

Mrs. Encombe

minor

Also known as a Mrs. Encombe

A woman mentioned in connection with the narrator's past.

Miss Fellows

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend of the Driffields.

Hester

minor

Also known as Ester

A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.

Mr. Brentford

minor

A minor character, possibly a local in Blackstable.

Mrs. Greencourt

minor

A minor character, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.

Isabel Trafford

minor

Also known as Isabel

Daughter of Mrs. Barton Trafford.

Mrs. Hayforth

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend of the Driffields.

Mr. Barton Trafford

minor

Husband of Mrs. Barton Trafford, a literary man.

Mr. Vanuzzi

minor

A minor character, possibly a foreign acquaintance.

Mrs. Reeves

minor

A minor character, possibly a neighbor.

Katie

minor

Also known as the slatternly Katie

A slatternly maid in the Driffield household.

Mrs. Brentford

minor

Wife of Mr. Brentford, a minor character.

Master Willie

minor

Also known as Willie

A young boy, possibly the narrator as a child.

Armstrong

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend or acquaintance.

Lord Scallion

minor

Also known as a certain Lord Scallion, Scallion

A minor aristocrat mentioned in passing.

Miss Butcher

minor

A minor character, possibly a local resident.

Mr. Evelyn Waugh

minor

A contemporary novelist mentioned in the narrative.

Willie Ashenden

minor

Also known as Willie, Mr. Ashenden, young Ashenden

A character who may be the narrator's younger self or a separate figure.

Smithson

minor

Also known as Mr. Smithson

A minor character, possibly a publisher or acquaintance.

Old Miss Wolfe

minor

Also known as Miss Wolfe

An elderly spinster in Blackstable.

Miss Broughton

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend of the Driffields.

Aldous

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend or acquaintance.

Miss Cowley

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend or acquaintance.

Poor George

minor

Also known as George

A minor character, possibly a local or acquaintance.

Poor Henry

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend or acquaintance.