Short Fiction · Character

Kismine

Kismine is a secluded millionaire's daughter who insists she is innocent and girlish even as she maneuvers John Unger into a grove for a private meeting.

supporting

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in Short Fiction, Kismine is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Percy's sister, with whom John falls in love.

In the storyThe Diamond as Big as the RitzOpen this moment free

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Raised in a hidden valley with only her brother Percy for company, Kismine has never had a boy in love with her and finds the novelty delicious. She protests that she is not sophisticated, listing her poetry and her plain dresses as proof, while her blue eyes and whispered intimacies suggest a girl already fluent in getting what she wants. Her cheerful selfishness, inherited from her father, makes her both charming and quietly dangerous to the visitor she has decided to like.

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The fuller portrait of Kismine sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Kismine in i

Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Kismine sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Other

Character groups

Wealth and isolation
Social climbers and romantics

+5 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Val reaches his emotional and psychological peak in this passage as he confronts the painful gap between his r…

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Relationships

John T. Unger
romantic · ambivalent
John falls in love with the beautiful and naive Kismine, but their romance is complicated… How this plays out →
John T. Unger
romantic · ambivalent
John falls in love with the beautiful and naive Kismine, but their romance is complicated… How this plays out →
John T. Unger
romantic · ambivalent
John falls in love with the beautiful and naive Kismine, but their romance is complicated… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Kismine in i

In the story

Kismine appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Diamond as Big as the Ritz
Percy's sister, with whom John falls in love.
V
Kismine, the younger sister, introduces herself to John, shares details about her family, and expresses her desire for a wholesome youth.
VII
In love with John, she wears his gold football on a chain and shares a first kiss with him.
VIII
Kismine confesses to John that previous guests were murdered by her father, but claims she now loves John and wants to elope.
IX
Reveals the aerial attack, shows excitement about becoming poor and free, and leads the escape.
The Bribe to God and the Fall of the Washington Empire
Falls asleep during the battle, wakes to flee with John, and realizes the mountain is wired.
XI
Kismine realizes she brought rhinestones instead of diamonds, expresses wonder at the stars, and reflects on her lost youth.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Kismine unlock in the free preview.

See Kismine in i

See Kismine in The Diamond as Big as the Ritz