Character guide

Bernard Profitendieu

major

Also known as Bernard, Master Bernard, Profitendieu, Young Bernard Profitendieu, old Profitendieu

A rebellious young man who leaves home and becomes Edouard's secretary.

Olivier Molinier

major

Also known as Olivier, Molinier, Poor old Olivier

Bernard's close friend, a sensitive youth drawn into Passavant's circle.

Edouard

major

Also known as Uncle Edouard, X, Edouard X

A writer and the uncle of Olivier, central to the novel's journal entries.

Laura Douviers

major

Also known as Laura, Douviers, the Douviers

A troubled young woman who seeks Edouard's help after an affair.

Vincent Molinier

supporting

Also known as Vincent, Molinier, Lilian Vincent

Olivier's older brother, entangled with Lady Griffith and Passavant.

Robert de Passavant

supporting

Also known as The Comte de Passavant, Passavant, Comte Robert de Passavant

A manipulative aristocrat who influences Olivier and Vincent.

Little Boris

supporting

Also known as Boris, little Boris, Mr. Boris, Master Boris

A fragile young boy under the care of Sophroniska.

George Molinier

supporting

Also known as George, young George, Molinier, the procureur Molinier

Olivier's younger brother, involved in a school scandal.

Strouvilhou

supporting

Also known as virtuous Strouvilhou, a certain Strouvilhou, Victor Strouvilhou, Cousin Strouvilhou

A mysterious figure connected to Passavant and a criminal scheme.

Armand Vedel

supporting

Also known as Armand, Mr. Armand, Armand Vedel

A cynical and bitter student, friend of Olivier.

Monsieur Profitendieu

supporting

Also known as Profitendieu, Monsieur Profitendieu

Bernard's stern father, a magistrate.

Sarah Vedel

minor

Also known as Sarah, Vedel, Mademoiselle Sarah Vedel

Armand's sister, a free-spirited young woman.

Pauline

minor

Olivier's mother, a caring but anxious figure.

Mme Sophroniska

minor

Also known as Sophroniska, Mme, Madame Sophroniska

A doctor who treats Boris at Saas-Fee.

Madame de La Pérouse

minor

Also known as La Pérouse, Madame de La Pérouse, old La Pérouse

The elderly wife of Monsieur de La Pérouse.

Rachel

minor

Also known as Miss Rachel

A governess or teacher at the Vedel household.

Azaïs

minor

Also known as Monsieur Azaïs, old Azaïs, dear old Azaïs

The elderly head of the Vedel pension.

Ghéridanisol

minor

Also known as Léon, Léon Ghéridanisol, young Ghéridanisol

A young man involved with the Passavant circle.

Monsieur de La Pérouse

minor

Also known as Monsieur de La, La Pérouse, old La Pérouse

An old music master, Edouard's acquaintance.

Lady Lilian

minor

Also known as Lilian, Lady Lilian, Lady Griffith

A wealthy Englishwoman involved with Vincent.

Phiphi

minor

Also known as Master Phiphi

A young boy at the Saas-Fee sanatorium.

Gontran de Passavant

minor

Also known as young Gontran, Gontran, young Passavant

Passavant's younger brother.

Lucien Bercail

minor

Also known as Lucien, Bercail, Little Bercail, little Bercail

A schoolmate of Bernard and Olivier.

Dhurmer

minor

Also known as Mr. Solomon Dhurmer

A jeweler involved in a counterfeiting scheme.

Little Bronja

minor

Also known as Bronja

A sickly child at the sanatorium, friend of Boris.

Philippe Adamanti

minor

Also known as Adamanti, Philippe

A young man associated with the Argonauts group.

Madame Profitendieu

minor

Also known as Profitendieu

Bernard's mother.

Felix Douviers

minor

Also known as Felix, Felix Douviers

Laura's husband.

Oscar Molinier

minor

Also known as Oscar Molinier, Molinier, Oscar

Olivier's father, a magistrate.

Madame Vedel

minor

Also known as Vedel, Seeing Vedel

The mother of the Vedel family.

Antoine

minor

A servant or minor character in the Profitendieu household.

Marguerite

minor

A minor female character, possibly a servant.

Caloub

minor

A young boy mentioned in the narrative.

Séraphine

minor

Also known as the faithful Séraphine

A servant in the Profitendieu household.

Albéric Profitendieu

minor

Bernard's brother.

Justinien

minor

A minor character, possibly a schoolmaster.

Charles

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend of the Moliniers.

Audibert

minor

A minor character mentioned in the novel.

Pastor Vedel

minor

Also known as Pastor Prosper Vedel, Prosper, Vedel

The father of the Vedel family, a pastor.

Madame Molinier

minor

Also known as Molinier

Olivier's mother, also known as Pauline.

Cécile

minor

A minor female character.

Germaine

minor

A minor female character.

Hildebrant

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend of the Argonauts.