Edouard

Olivier Molinier

Edouard is both a mentor and an object of intense fascination for Olivier, with a complex mix of paternal affection and latent romantic tension.

Bernard Profitendieu

Bernard becomes Edouard's secretary and protégé, developing a respectful but somewhat formal bond.

Laura Douviers

Edouard and Laura share a past romantic attachment and a lingering, tender affection despite her marriage.

Robert de Passavant

Edouard and Robert de Passavant are literary and personal rivals, each vying for influence over Olivier.

Olivier Molinier

Edouard is both a mentor and an object of intense fascination for Olivier, with a complex mix of paternal affection and latent romantic tension.

Bernard Profitendieu

Bernard becomes Edouard's secretary and protégé, developing a respectful but somewhat formal bond.

Olivier Molinier

Edouard is both a mentor and an object of intense fascination for Olivier, with a complex mix of paternal affection and latent romantic tension.

Laura Douviers

Edouard and Laura share a past romantic attachment and a lingering, tender affection despite her marriage.

Robert de Passavant

Edouard and Robert de Passavant are literary and personal rivals, each vying for influence over Olivier.

Laura Douviers

Edouard and Laura share a past romantic attachment and a lingering, tender affection despite her marriage.

Bernard Profitendieu

Bernard becomes Edouard's secretary and protégé, developing a respectful but somewhat formal bond.

Robert de Passavant

Edouard and Robert de Passavant are literary and personal rivals, each vying for influence over Olivier.

The Counterfeiters

Bernard's uncle, whose suitcase Bernard steals to finance his departure.

III: Bernard and Olivier

Olivier's uncle, a writer, arriving from England; Olivier plans to meet him at the station.

Vincent Meets Passavant at Lady Griffith’s

Mentioned as returning to France by ship, rereading Laura's letter of appeal.

VIII: Edouard and Laura

Reading Passavant's book on the train, rereading Laura's letter, and reflecting on his journal about his feelings for Laura.

IX: Edouard and Olivier

Meets Olivier at the station; struggles to express his joy and affection, feeling insecure about his age and Olivier's reception.

X: The Cloakroom Ticket

Walks with Olivier, drops the cloakroom ticket; his suitcase is taken by Bernard.

XI: Edouard’s Journal: George Molinier

Narrates the chapter, reflecting on his encounter with George and his feelings for Olivier.

Edouard's Journal: Laura's Wedding

Narrates the journal entry; reflects on Douviers, Laura's wedding, and his artistic identity.

XIII: Edouard’s Journal: First Visit to La Pérouse

Narrator of the journal; visits La Pérouse and reflects on his own feelings for Olivier.

XIV: Bernard and Laura

Arrives at Laura's hotel, comforts her, and interviews Bernard about the stolen suitcase; agrees to consider Bernard as a secretary.

XVIII: Edouard’s Journal: Second Visit to La Pérouse

Narrator of the journal; loses and recovers his suitcase; visits Laura and La Pérouse; accepts responsibility for La Pérouse's bond and grandson.

Part II: Saas-Fée

Present in Saas-Fée, discussing his novel theory and interacting with Bernard and Laura.

From Bernard to Olivier

Travels with Bernard and Laura to Switzerland; Bernard praises his kindness and interesting conversation.

II: Edouard's Journal: Little Boris

Narrator of the journal; observes Boris and Bronja, converses with Sophroniska, reflects on novel-writing.

III: Edouard Explains His Theory of the Novel

Expounds his theory of the novel, discussing freedom from realism, the influence of Nietzsche, and the idea of a novel without a subject; reveals the title 'The Counterfeiters' but is vague about its meaning.

Bernard and Laura

Discussed as an elusive figure; Laura describes him as Proteus-like, constantly forming and unforming; Bernard considers working as his secretary.

Edouard's Journal: Conversation with Sophroniska

Narrates the journal entry; debates Sophroniska about mysticism, realism, and Boris's cure; proposes sending Boris to Azaïs's school.

From Olivier to Bernard

Discusses Bernard's plan, feels humiliated by Bernard's eloquence, and is hurt by Olivier's letter which seems to forget him.

VII: The Author Reviews His Characters

The author criticizes Edouard's imprudence in confiding Boris to Azaïs, his self-deception, and his curiosity that may turn to cruelty.

I: Edouard’s Journal: Oscar Molinier

Narrator of the journal; meets Molinier and records their conversation.

II: Edouard’s Journal: At the Vedels’

Narrator and observer; visits the Vedels, lends money to Rachel, and reflects on the family's hypocrisy and burdens.

III: Edouard’s Journal: Third Visit to La Pérouse

Visits La Pérouse, tries to comfort him, and arranges for his move to Azaïs's school.

V: Olivier Meets Bernard

Olivier seeks out Edouard to confess his troubles, but finds him out. Edouard is also mentioned as being at Olivier's mother's house.

VI: Edouard's Journal: Madame Molinier

The journal-keeper and confidant; he listens to Pauline's confessions and inadvertently raises the suspicion that George stole Oscar's letters.

The Argonauts’ Dinner

Arrives with Bernard and Sarah; questions Olivier about his milieu and confronts Passavant.

Olivier and Edouard

Finds Olivier unconscious, revives him, learns of his suicide talk from Bernard, and cares for him.

X: Olivier’s Convalescence

Caring for Olivier; receives Laura's letter about Felix's planned challenge; discusses lyrical inspiration and incarnation with Bernard.

XI: Edouard's Journal: Pauline

Narrator of the journal; hosts Olivier and receives Pauline's visit; reflects on Pauline's state of mind and his own feelings.

XII: Edouard and Then Strouvilhou Visit Passavant

Visits Passavant to collect Olivier's things, feeling joy and benevolence but struggling to maintain a cold demeanor.

XIII: Edouard’s Journal: Douviers’ Profitendieu

Narrates his journal; experiences creative euphoria while writing The Counterfeiters, receives visits from Douviers and Profitendieu, and reads his work to Olivier.

XV: Bernard Visits Edouard

Receives Bernard, informs him of his father's visit, and offers advice on living without external rules. He discusses art and the novel.

XVI: Edouard Warns George

Visits the pension, speaks with La Pérouse, and warns George about his thefts and counterfeiting.

XX: Edouard's Journal

Narrates his journal, refusing to use Boris's suicide in his novel; visits La Pérouse and reflects on the aftermath of the suicide.