Character guide

Miriam

major

Also known as III Miriam, VI Miriam

A young woman whose consciousness is the novel's weather, she moves through London rooms and memories, finding summer happiness that no present season can supply.

Mrs. Bailey

supporting

Also known as missuz Bailey

A landlady with strong opinions and a sharper tongue, she presides over tea-table verdicts on charity, illness, and who deserves what from strangers.

Dr. von Heber

supporting

Also known as Dr. Heber, von Heber, Von Heber

A foreign doctor whose presence unsettles the Baileys' dining room, he listens to music and to Miriam with the same grave, unreadable attention.

Dr. Hurd

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Hurd, Little Mrs. Hurd, the Hurds

An old doctor who talks gynecology plainly and gossip freely, he spreads his thoughts about with a simplicity that Miriam finds both relief and exposure.

Eve

supporting

Miriam's sister, arriving in London to become a florist, she is the event around which Miriam's days rearrange themselves into anticipation and hostess-hood.

Florrie

supporting

A presence in Miriam's social orbit, she is part of the circle whose talk and judgments Miriam navigates, half-participant and half-observer.

Grace

supporting

Also known as Gracie Harter - Jones, GraceвАЩs

Grace greets Miriam at the door in her straight green dress, all gentle kisses and soothing reproaches, the soft center of a household that briefly shelters a grubby traveler.

Dr. Winchester

supporting

Also known as Winchester

Dr. Winchester brushed Miriam's coat in the hall and never said what he meant, one of the worried brothers whose silence she only learns of after they've all vanished.

Mr. Bowdoin

minor

Also known as Bowdoin

A named male character, possibly a visitor or acquaintance.

Mr. Mendizabal

supporting

Also known as poor little Mr. Mendizabal, Mr. Mendizzable, Mendizzable

Mr. Mendizabal, that little man with the adenoid voice and sniggering laugh, is the disreputable foreigner everyone at the boarding table has an opinion about.

Miss Scott

minor

Also known as Scott

A named female character, possibly a companion or acquaintance.

Sissie

minor

Also known as Miss Sissie, SissieвАЩs

A named character, possibly a child or young woman in the household.

The Baileys

minor

A family unit that appears as a collective presence.

The doctors

minor

A collective group of medical professionals in the narrative.

Christine

minor

A named character with a distinct presence in the story.

Eleanor

minor

Also known as Eleanor Dear, X Eleanor

A named character, possibly a friend or relative of Miriam.

Emile

minor

A named male character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.

Mr. Hancock

minor

A named male character, possibly a visitor or official.

Dr. Wayneflete

minor

Also known as Wayneflete, genius Wayneflete

A doctor, possibly with a reputation for brilliance.

Miss Henderson

minor

A named female character, possibly a nurse or companion.

Mr. Gunner

minor

Also known as Gunner

A named male character, possibly a servant or tradesman.

Miss Rogers

minor

A named female character, possibly a visitor or acquaintance.

Strelinsky

minor

Also known as Mr. Strelinsky

A named character, possibly a musician or artist.

Madame Devine

minor

A named female character, possibly a fortune-teller or mystic.

Mr. Rodkin

minor

Also known as Rodkin

A named male character, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.

Alma

minor

A named female character, possibly a friend or relative.

Miss Dear

minor

A named female character, possibly a governess or companion.

The Brooms

minor

A family or household that appears as a collective.

Bella de Castro

minor

A named female character, possibly a performer or socialite.

Beatrice

minor

A named female character, possibly a literary or historical reference.

Ruscino

minor

A named character, possibly a place or person with symbolic weight.

Wilberforce

minor

A named character, possibly a historical or literary allusion.

The Miss Pernes

minor

Also known as the Pernes

A pair of sisters or female relatives appearing as a unit.

Peter

minor

A named male character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.

Jan

minor

A named male character, possibly a foreign visitor or servant.

Miss Haddie

minor

A named female character, possibly a nurse or companion.

Mrs. Barrow

minor

Also known as Mrs. m - Barrow

A named female character, possibly a housekeeper or neighbor.

Mr. Taunton

minor

A named male character, possibly a visitor or official.

The Orlys

minor

A family or household appearing as a collective.

Helsing

minor

Also known as Mr. Helsing

A named male character, possibly a doctor or scholar.

Winthrop

minor

Also known as Kind kind Winthrop

A named male character, possibly a friend or relative.