# Maurice Avery — Sinister Street character guide

> Maurice Avery in Sinister Street by Compton Mackenzie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Avery

**First appearance:** 0035-i-the-first-day

## Snapshot

Michael's charismatic Oxford friend, perpetually smoking and effortlessly adored, whose Godalming home embodies a facile suburban world Michael can barely tolerate a week of.

## Who they are

At High Towers, Maurice is smothered in adulation by a stockbroker father who refuses to age and a mother who spoils the dogs when her men are away. Michael finds the whole Surrey idyll oppressive—light-green Lovat tweeds, tar-smeared roads, conversation that goes along too smoothly—and escapes by telegram without a ruse. Maurice represents the worldly ease Michael both envies and distrusts, the friend whose charm tests whether Michael's fastidiousness is integrity or mere pride.

## Relationships

### [Michael Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/michael_fane)

_friendship_

Maurice is Michael's witty and cynical Oxford friend, acting as a foil to Michael's earnestness and a partner in social adventures.

### [Michael Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/michael_fane)

_friendship_

Maurice is Michael's witty and cynical Oxford friend, acting as a foil to Michael's earnestness and a partner in social adventures.

### [Michael Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/michael_fane)

_friendship_

Maurice is Michael's witty and cynical Oxford friend, acting as a foil to Michael's earnestness and a partner in social adventures.

## In the story

### [Sinister Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/sinister-street)

A friend and influence on Michael's social and intellectual development.

### [VIII: Siamese Stamps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/viii-siamese-stamps)

New boy who torments Michael with witty insults about his clothes, underclothing, and governess.

### [The First Term](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/iii-the-first-term)

Avery is a guest at Michael's terminal dinner, noted for his unconventional dress (loose-fronted shirt) and his ability to amuse others, though Michael feels uneasy about his presence.

### [Youth's Domination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/v-youth-s-domination)

Part of the May Morning revelers; invites Michael to a breakfast-party at Sandford Lasher, which Michael declines.

### [VII: Venner’s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/vii-venner-s)

Avery has moved into rooms on Michael's staircase and is bringing out a magazine. He discusses the venture with Venner.

### [VIII: The Oxford Looking-Glass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/viii-the-oxford-looking-glass)

Maurice is the editor of 'The Oxford Looking-Glass', enthusiastically promoting the first issue and seeking Michael's opinion on it. He is portrayed as eager and somewhat self-absorbed.

### [IX: The Lesson of Spain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/ix-the-lesson-of-spain)

Accompanies Michael to Spain after his own Rome plans fall through; later becomes editor of The Oxford Looking-Glass.

### [202 High](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xii-202-high)

Tells an inappropriate personal story in Venner's, causing awkwardness; later reconciles with Michael after being criticized.

### [XIII: Plashers Mead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xiii-plashers-mead)

Takes a studio in Grosvenor Road and invites Stella to visit, but she refuses.

### [XV: The Last Term](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xv-the-last-term)

Bringing his mother and sisters for Commemoration.

### [XVI: The Last Week](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xvi-the-last-week)

Arrives with his mother and sisters, and Michael dances with his sisters at the balls.

### [IX: The Gate of Horn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/ix-the-gate-of-horn)

Hosts a gathering at his studio; plays Brahms; introduces Michael to Ronnie Walker; agrees to handle the dissolution of Michael's household at Ararat House.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/maurice_avery
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters