Character guide

Wolf Solent

major

Also known as Wolf, Solent, Mr. Solent, Mr. Wolf Solent, Father, Yellow Bracken Wolf, The old Wolf

The protagonist, a young man returning to his native Dorset to work as a secretary.

Mrs. Solent

major

Also known as Wolf, But Wolf, Solent, Hurriedly Wolf, Wolf Solent, Dear Wolf, little Wolf

Wolf's mother, a domineering and eccentric woman with a complex past.

Jason Otter

major

Also known as Mr. Otter, Jason Otter, Otter, Mr. Jason Otter, Mister Otter

A local landowner and Wolf's employer, a man of volatile temperament.

Christie Malakite

major

Also known as Christie, Malakite, Miss Christie, Chris, little Chris, old Malakite

A mysterious and alluring young woman who becomes a central figure in Wolf's life.

Gerda Torp

major

Also known as Gerda, Mr. Torp, Torp, the good Torp, the torpid Torp, Lob, Lob Torp, Little Gerda, young Torp

A spirited and earthy young woman from the village, Wolf's eventual wife.

Darnley Otter

supporting

Also known as Mr. Darnley Otter, Darnley Otter, Mr. Otter, Darnley, Otter, Master Darnley

Jason Otter's younger brother, a gentle and scholarly man.

John Urquhart

supporting

Also known as Mr. Urquhart, John, Mr. John Urquhart, old Urquhart, Urquhart, the sardonic Mr. Urquhart, the great John Urquhart

A cynical and wealthy antiquarian who employs Wolf for a historical project.

Selena Gault

supporting

Also known as Miss Gault, Miss Selena Gault, Selena, Gault, the great Gault, The Gault

An elderly, formidable woman with a deep connection to the Solent family history.

Mattie Smith

supporting

Also known as Mattie, the new Mattie

A servant in the Solent household, loyal and observant.

Bob Weevil

supporting

Also known as Weevil, Bob, Mr. Weevil, old Bob, young Bob Weevil, old man Weevil, Mr. Bob Weevil

A local tradesman and gossip, often involved in village affairs.

Olwen Smith

supporting

Also known as Olwen, Olwen dear, Little Olwen Smith, little Olwen, Princess Olwen, Miss Olwen, Olwen - bird

Mattie's younger sister, a delicate and imaginative girl.

Lord Carfax

minor

Also known as Carfax, the good Carfax

A local aristocrat and friend of the Urquhart family.

Roger Monk

supporting

Also known as Roger, Redfern, Monk, young Redfern, another Redfern, poor young Redfern, our poor dear Redfern

A troubled young man with a tragic past, connected to the Redfern family.

Mr. Valley

minor

Also known as T. E. Valley, Valley, Mr. T. E. Valley, Stammeringly Mr. Valley

A nervous and eccentric schoolmaster in the village.

Mrs. Otter

minor

Also known as Otter

Jason Otter's wife, a quiet and long-suffering woman.

Mrs. Torp

minor

Also known as Torp

Gerda's mother, a practical and sharp-tongued village woman.

Mr. Malakite

minor

Also known as Malakite, Mr. John Malakite, old Malakite

Christie's father, a reclusive and eccentric figure.

Lobbie Torp

minor

Also known as Lobbie, Lobbie Torp

Gerda's younger brother, a simple and good-natured lad.

Mr. Smith

minor

Also known as Albert, Albert Smith, ancestral Mr. Smith, Mr. Albert Smith, Robert, old Smith, the Smith

Mattie and Olwen's father, a farmer with a troubled history.

Mr. Manley

minor

Also known as Willum, Mister Manley, Mr. Manley of Willum, The heavy - jowled Mr. Manley, This Manley, Manley

A local farmer and acquaintance of the Solent family.

Squire Urquhart

minor

Also known as Squire, old Urquhart, Urquhart, The Squire, the Squire

John Urquhart's father, the old-fashioned squire of the district.

Monk

minor

Also known as Mr. Monk, this Monk

A servant or retainer in the Urquhart household.

Mr. Round

minor

Also known as Round, Master Round

A local clergyman or schoolmaster.

Miss Malakite

minor

Also known as Malakite

Christie's aunt or older relative, living with the Malakites.

Mrs. Herbert

minor

Also known as the unknown Mrs. Herbert

A mysterious woman mentioned in local gossip.

William Solent

minor

Also known as Solent, William

Wolf's deceased father, a figure of memory and speculation.

Mr. Redfern

minor

Also known as Poor Mr. Redfern, the dead Mr. Redfern, Redfern, the young Redfern, young Mr. Redfern

A deceased local man, father of Roger Monk.

Miss Elizabeth Round

minor

Also known as Miss Round, Miss Elizabeth, Round

Mr. Round's daughter, a quiet young woman.

Matthew

minor

Also known as Aunt Mattie, Mattie

An elderly relative or servant of the Solents.

John Torp

minor

Also known as Mr. Torp, Mr. John Torp, Torp

Gerda's father, a hardworking but ineffectual man.

Dimity Stone

minor

Also known as Dimity, Dimity Stone, old Dimity Stone, old Dimity, the old Dimity

An old woman living in the village, known for her wisdom.

James Redfern

minor

Also known as Redfern, Jimmie Redfern, Jimmy Redfern, ostler Jim, young Redfern

A stable hand and son of the deceased Mr. Redfern.

Miss Mattie

minor

Also known as Mattie

A servant or companion in the Solent household.

Stalbridge

minor

Also known as Mr. Stalbridge, Not Mr. Stalbridge

A local businessman or tradesman.

Gaffer Barge

minor

Also known as Gaffer, Barge

An old boatman or river worker in the village.

Lorna Smith

minor

Also known as Lorna, Lorna Smith

Another sister of Mattie and Olwen.

Ann Haggard Solent

minor

Also known as Ann Haggard, Ann, Solent

Wolf's aunt, a figure from his family's past.

Josh Beard

minor

Also known as Mr. Beard, Mr. Joshua Beard, Josh

A local farmer or laborer.

Doctor Percy

minor

Also known as Percy

The local physician in the village.

Farmer Manley

minor

Also known as Farmer, Farmer Manley

A local farmer, possibly related to Mr. Manley.

Bess Round

minor

Also known as Bess Round, Bess

Mr. Round's other daughter.

Mrs. Martin

minor

A village woman, possibly a housekeeper.

Pimpernel

minor

Also known as old Ruth Pimpernel

An old woman in the village.

Jack Torp

minor

Also known as Jack, Old Jack Torp

An older relative of the Torp family.

Joan Torp

minor

A female member of the Torp family.