Character guide

Maurice d'Esparvieu

major

Also known as Maurice, young Maurice, Monsieur Maurice, Young d'Esparvieu, Monsieur Maurice d'Esparvieu, young Maurice d'Esparvieu

A young man whose guardian angel, Arcade, rebels and leads him on a journey of discovery.

Arcade

major

Also known as Monsieur Arcade, the kindly Arcade, dear Arcade, young Arcade, the handsome Arcade

Maurice's guardian angel who rebels against Heaven and seeks forbidden knowledge.

Monsieur Julien Sariette

supporting

Also known as Monsieur Sariette, Poor old Sariette, old Sariette, Sariette, poor old Sariette

The meticulous librarian of the d'Esparvieu family, tormented by missing books.

Madame de la Verdelière

supporting

Also known as Bouchotte, Madame d'Esparvieu

A fashionable artiste and socialite who hosts a charity fête.

Gilberte des Aubels

supporting

Also known as Gilberte, des Aubels

A young married woman who becomes involved with Maurice.

Prince Istar

supporting

Also known as Istar, the savage Istar

A fierce and rebellious angel from the celestial hierarchy.

Père Guinardon

supporting

Also known as Guinardon

An old painter and art restorer with a sharp tongue.

Théophile Belais

supporting

Also known as Théophile, Meanwhile Théophile

A friend of Maurice and a young man about town.

Satan

supporting

The fallen angel and ruler of Hell, who appears in the narrative.

Zita

supporting

Also known as Zita the obscure

A mysterious and powerful female angel who aids the rebellion.

Zéphyrine

minor

Also known as old Zéphyrine

An old servant in the d'Esparvieu household.

Ialdabaoth

supporting

A rebellious angel and one of the leaders of the celestial revolt.

Iahveh

supporting

Also known as old Iahveh, the ancient Iahveh

An ancient, weary god figure in the celestial pantheon.

Abbé Patouille

supporting

Also known as the Abbé Patouille, Meanwhile Abbé Patouille, Abbé, The Abbé Patouille, The Abbé

The family priest and tutor to Maurice.

Gaétan d'Esparvieu

supporting

Also known as Monsieur Gaétan, Monsieur Gaétan d'Esparvieu, Uncle Gaétan

Maurice's uncle, a worldly and cynical man.

Nectaire

supporting

Also known as old Nectaire

An old gardener who is secretly a fallen angel.

René d'Esparvieu

minor

Also known as René, Monsieur René d'Esparvieu, Monsieur René

Maurice's father, a respected magistrate.

Baron Max Everdingen

minor

Also known as Max Everdingen, Baron, Baron Everdingen, the Baron Everdingen

A German baron and friend of the d'Esparvieu family.

Inspector Grolle

minor

A police inspector investigating the theft of books.

Archangel Michael

minor

Also known as the beautiful Archangel, The Archangel Michael, Archangel Michael

The leader of the loyalist angels in Heaven.

Madame Mira

minor

Also known as Mira

A fortune-teller consulted by characters.

Lucifer

minor

The morning star, a fallen angel who appears in the story.

Dionysus

minor

Also known as Dionysus Semele

The Greek god of wine, appearing as a character.

Monsieur le Truc de Ruffec

minor

Also known as Monsieur Le Truc de Ruffec, Le Truc de Ruffec

A pompous and verbose nobleman.

Sophar

minor

A rebellious angel and companion to Arcade.

Eugène Delacroix

minor

Also known as Delacroix, Monsieur Eugène Delacroix, Monsieur Delacroix

The famous painter, mentioned as a historical figure.

Michel Guinardon

minor

Also known as Michel

The son of Père Guinardon, also a painter.

Monsieur Mignon

minor

Also known as Mignon

A bookseller involved in the plot.

Léon

minor

Also known as little Léon, Little Léon

A young boy, possibly a servant or relative.

Baron Alexandre d'Esparvieu

minor

Also known as Baron Alexandre, Alexandre d'Esparvieu, Alexandre

An ancestor of Maurice, a historical figure in the family.

General Milpertuis

minor

Also known as General d'Esparvieu

A military relative of the d'Esparvieu family.

Monsieur Blancmesnil

minor

Also known as Blancmesnil, Monsieur de Blancmesnil

A friend of the family and a magistrate.

Hippolyte Flandrin

minor

Also known as Hippolyte

A painter, mentioned in discussions of art.

Octavie

minor

Also known as The young Octavie, the young Octavie, young Octavie

A young woman who appears briefly.

Comte Desmaisons

minor

Also known as the Comte Desmaisons

A nobleman and acquaintance of the family.

Berthe

minor

A servant in the d'Esparvieu household.

Odile

minor

A young woman mentioned in passing.

Aline

minor

A servant or young woman in the story.

Comtesse de Gorce

minor

Also known as Madame la Comtesse de Gorce, the Comtesse de Gorce

A society woman who appears at events.

Monsieur de la Verdelière

minor

The husband of Madame de la Verdelière.

Madame Paulet de Saint-Fain

minor

Also known as de Saint-Fain

A society woman mentioned in the narrative.

Madame Fillot-Grandin

minor

Also known as Madame d'Esparvieu

A relative or acquaintance of the family.

Abdiel

minor

A loyal angel who remains faithful to Heaven.

Judge Salneuve

minor

A judge involved in legal matters.

Fulgence-Adolphe Bussart d'Esparvieu

minor

Also known as Fulgence, Fulgence-Adolphe

An ancestor of Maurice, a historical figure.

Léger-Massieu

minor

Also known as Massieu, Léger

A friend or acquaintance of the family.

Clodomir

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant.

Rose

minor

A servant or young woman in the story.

Marcelline

minor

A servant in the household.

Jeanne

minor

A young woman mentioned briefly.