Character guide

Valancy Stirling

major

Also known as Valancy, Stirling, Valancy Jane, Doss, Poor Doss, Valancy Snaith, Miss Stirling

A shy, repressed woman who transforms her life after a shocking diagnosis.

Barney Snaith

major

Also known as Barney, Snaith, Bernard Craig, Bernard Redfern, Bernie Redfern, Bernard Snaith Redfern

A mysterious, free-spirited man living on an island who becomes Valancy's husband.

Roaring Abel Gay

supporting

Also known as Abel, Abel Gay, Old Abel Gay, Mr. Gay

A drunken, loud-mouthed old man who lives near Valancy and befriends her.

Cecily Gay

supporting

Also known as Cissy Gay, Cecilia Gay, Cissy, Cecily

Abel's frail, dying daughter who becomes Valancy's close friend.

Mrs. Stirling

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Frederick Stirling, Mrs. Frederick, Frederick Stirling, Poor Mrs. Frederick

Valancy's overbearing, conventional mother who disapproves of her choices.

Uncle James

supporting

Also known as James, James Stirling, Mr. James Stirling, Mr. Stirling, old Jim Stirling

Valancy's wealthy, domineering uncle and family patriarch.

Uncle Benjamin

supporting

Also known as Benjamin, Uncle Ben, Ben

Valancy's fussy, flabbergasted uncle who often visits the family.

Cousin Stickles

supporting

Also known as Stickles, Cousin Artemas Stickles

A poor relation living with the Stirlings, often gossiping and meddling.

Dr. Trent

supporting

Also known as old Dr. Trent, poor Dr. Trent, Dr.

The family doctor who gives Valancy a life-changing diagnosis.

Olive Stirling

supporting

Also known as Olive, Miss Olive Stirling, Miss Stirling

Valancy's beautiful, admired cousin who embodies everything Valancy is not.

Georgiana

minor

Also known as Cousin Georgiana, Little Cousin Georgiana

A timid, spinster cousin of Valancy's who lives with her mother.

Aunt Isabel

minor

Also known as Isabel

Valancy's critical, gossipy aunt who often visits the family.

Aunt Alberta

minor

Also known as bewildered Aunt Alberta

Valancy's aunt, often confused by family events.

Uncle Herbert

minor

Also known as Herbert

Valancy's uncle, a quiet family member.

Aunt Mildred

minor

Valancy's aunt, mentioned in family gatherings.

Cousin Gladys

minor

Also known as First Cousin Gladys

A first cousin of Valancy's, part of the extended Stirling clan.

Ethel Traverse

minor

Also known as Ethel, Traverse

A former acquaintance of Valancy's, briefly mentioned.

John Foster

minor

Also known as Foster, John

A nature writer whose books inspire Valancy's love of the wild.

Dr. Redfern

minor

Also known as Redfern, old Doc Redfern, Doc Redfern, rich old Doc Redfern, Mr. Redfern

A wealthy doctor and father of Bernard Redfern.

Rev. Dr. Stalling

minor

Also known as Dr. Stalling, Poor Dr. Stalling

The local minister who officiates at family events.

Aunt Wellington

minor

Also known as Wellington

Valancy's aunt, wife of Uncle Wellington.

Uncle Wellington

minor

Valancy's uncle, husband of Aunt Wellington.

Amelia

minor

Also known as Aunt Amelia

Valancy's aunt, part of the extended Stirling family.

Lady Jane Grey Slosson

minor

Also known as Grey Slosson, Jane, The old Grey Slosson, Lady Jane Grey

An eccentric old woman who lives near Valancy.

Banjo

minor

Barney's pet cat, often mentioned in the household.

Edward Beck

minor

Also known as Ned

A local man who briefly courts Valancy.

Allan Tierney

minor

Also known as Tierney

A man from Valancy's past, briefly mentioned.

Old Mr. Towers

minor

Also known as Mr. Towers

An elderly neighbor of the Stirlings.

Miss Clarkson

minor

A local woman, briefly mentioned in town gossip.

Old Tom MacMurray

minor

Also known as Old Tom, Tom MacMurray, old Tom

An old resident of the area, known for his stories.

Dr. Ambrose Marsh

minor

Also known as Dr. Ambrose Marsh of Port Lawrence, Dr. Marsh, Ambrose Marsh, Marsh

A doctor from Port Lawrence who treats Cecily.

Cecil Price

minor

Also known as Cecil

A young man briefly mentioned in the story.

Sarah Taylor

minor

Also known as Second Cousin Sarah Taylor, Second Cousin Sarah, Cousin Sarah

A second cousin known for her pickle recipes.

Christine Stickles

minor

Also known as Stickles, Christine

A relative of Cousin Stickles, briefly mentioned.

Rev. Mr. Bently

minor

Also known as Mr. Bently

A minister who appears at a family gathering.

Lizzie

minor

Also known as Cousin Betty Stirling, Betty

A cousin of Valancy's, briefly mentioned.

Henry

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or neighbor.

Jennie Lloyd

minor

Also known as Jennie

A friend of Olive's, briefly mentioned.

Byron Stirling

minor

Also known as Byron

A male cousin of Valancy's, part of the family.

Old Rachel Edwards

minor

Also known as Rachel

An elderly woman in the community, briefly mentioned.

Mrs. Bartlett

minor

A local woman, mentioned in passing.

Second Cousin Lilian

minor

A distant cousin of Valancy's, briefly mentioned.

Mr. Bradly

minor

A local man, possibly a shopkeeper.

Old Amos Wansbarra

minor

Also known as the Wansbarra

An old resident of the area, briefly mentioned.

Clayton Markley

minor

Also known as Markley

A man briefly mentioned in the story.

Claude Bertram

minor

Also known as Claude

A young man briefly mentioned.

Mr. Carewe

minor

A local man, briefly mentioned.

Will Desmond

minor

A man briefly mentioned in the story.

Nip

minor

A dog owned by a neighbor, briefly mentioned.