The Counterfeiters · Character

Little Boris

A strange, fragile boy in a Polish doctor's care, Boris invents words and contradictions faster than anyone can love him into truth.

supporting

Also known as Boris, little Boris, Mr. Boris, Master Boris

First appearance: II: Edouard's Journal: Little Boris

As a supporting figure in The Counterfeiters, Little Boris is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

La Pérouse's grandson, living in Poland; deeply loved but unknown to him.

In the storyXIII: Edouard’s Journal: First Visit to La PérouseOpen this moment free

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Boris trails after the angelic Bronja on the terrace, refusing walks and telescopes in the same breath, spinning nonsense syllables so no one can understand him. His lying is almost lyrical — a bid for attention, or for angels, from a child who suspects he will always be naughty. Sophroniska watches him with a physician's care, and the gap between her vigilance and his wild inventions makes him one of the novel's most unsettling small mysteries.

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See Little Boris in II: Edouard's Journal: Little Boris

Character Web

23 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Vedel Pension Circle
Minor Family Members

+18 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, Edouard articulates the "deep-lying subject" of his novel—the rivalry between reality and rep…

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In the story

Little Boris appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XIII: Edouard’s Journal: First Visit to La Pérouse
La Pérouse's grandson, living in Poland; deeply loved but unknown to him.
II: Edouard's Journal: Little Boris
Nervous child under Sophroniska's care; speaks in contradictions and invented languages; shows signs of trauma.
Edouard's Journal: Conversation with Sophroniska
Subject of the conversation; his past 'magic' practices, talisman, nervous illness, and current mysticism are examined.
VII: The Author Reviews His Characters
Described as tender and fragile, exposed to the poisonous air of Azaïs's school.
III: Edouard’s Journal: Third Visit to La Pérouse
Mentioned as the grandson La Pérouse wanted to see before dying.
The First Day of the Term
Boris is terrified by his schoolfellows and feels like a girl among them, distressed by the attention from his grandfather La Pérouse.
XIV: Bernard and the Angel
In bed, grieving over Bronja's letter about her illness; prays and sobs quietly while Bernard wrestles with the angel.
XVIII: "The Strong Men"
Grieves Bronja's death, feels abandoned, and is manipulated into joining the brotherhood's deadly test.
XIX: Boris
Boris is the central figure of the chapter, who commits suicide in the classroom under the coercion of Ghéridanisol and George.
XX: Edouard's Journal
His suicide is the central event discussed; Edouard finds it indecent and unaccountable.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Little Boris in II: Edouard's Journal: Little Boris

See Little Boris in XIII: Edouard’s Journal: First Visit to La Pérouse