# Olivier Molinier — The Counterfeiters character guide > Olivier Molinier in The Counterfeiters by André Gide. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Olivier, Molinier, Poor old Olivier **First appearance:** 0003-i-the-luxembourg-gardens ## Snapshot Bernard's closest friend, a tender and flattery-hungry youth whose charm makes him easy prey for the wrong mentors. ## Who they are Olivier is the sensitive, admiring boy whom Edouard loves from a distance and whom Passavant collects with compliments. His vanity and craving for approval pull him away from the people who genuinely care for him, and Edouard's journal frets openly that by the time he intervenes it may be too late. His drift between these rival influences is the novel's central study in how a young soul can be shaped — or spoiled — by the company it keeps. ## Relationships ### [Bernard Profitendieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/bernard_profitendieu) _friendship_ Bernard and Olivier are close friends and schoolmates, sharing intellectual and emotional confidences. ### [Edouard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/edouard) _psychological_ Edouard is both a mentor and an object of intense fascination for Olivier, with a complex mix of paternal affection and latent romantic tension. ### [Robert de Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/robert_de_passavant) _psychological_ Olivier is initially infatuated with Robert de Passavant, who exerts a seductive and corrupting influence over him. ### [Armand Vedel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/armand_vedel) _friendship_ Armand and Olivier are school friends, though Armand is cynical and often mocks Olivier's naivety. ### [George Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/george_molinier) _family_ George is Olivier's younger brother, and they share a typical sibling bond with some rivalry. ### [Bernard Profitendieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/bernard_profitendieu) _friendship_ Bernard and Olivier are close friends and schoolmates, sharing intellectual and emotional confidences. ### [Edouard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/edouard) _psychological_ 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/bernard_profitendieu) _friendship_ Bernard and Olivier are close friends and schoolmates, sharing intellectual and emotional confidences. ### [Robert de Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/robert_de_passavant) _psychological_ Olivier is initially infatuated with Robert de Passavant, who exerts a seductive and corrupting influence over him. ### [Edouard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/edouard) _psychological_ Edouard is both a mentor and an object of intense fascination for Olivier, with a complex mix of paternal affection and latent romantic tension. ### [Armand Vedel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/armand_vedel) _friendship_ Armand and Olivier are school friends, though Armand is cynical and often mocks Olivier's naivety. ### [Armand Vedel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/armand_vedel) _friendship_ Armand and Olivier are school friends, though Armand is cynical and often mocks Olivier's naivety. ## In the story ### [The Counterfeiters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/the-counterfeiters) Bernard's friend, mentioned as a confidant and recipient of Bernard's letter from Switzerland. ### [Part I: Paris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/part-i-paris) Bernard's friend, involved with Robert de Passavant and struggling with his own desires. ### [I: The Luxembourg Gardens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/i-the-luxembourg-gardens) Bernard's intimate friend; agrees to let Bernard stay in his room despite his own nervousness. ### [III: Bernard and Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/iii-bernard-and-olivier) Receives Bernard, confesses his first sexual encounter, and shares his admiration for his Uncle Edouard. ### [Vincent and the Comte de Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/iv-vincent-and-the-comte-de-passavant) Mentioned as Vincent's younger brother; Passavant asks about his poetry and invites him to visit. ### [VI: Bernard Awakens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vi-bernard-awakens) Bernard's friend; sleeps beside Bernard, his arm draped over him, but Bernard leaves without waking him. ### [VII: Lilian and Vincent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vii-lilian-and-vincent) Mentioned by Vincent as the brother he must go see to pass on an invitation from Robert de Passavant. ### [VIII: Edouard and Laura](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/viii-edouard-and-laura) Edouard wonders if Olivier will meet him at the station, recalling their past acquaintance. ### [IX: Edouard and Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/ix-edouard-and-olivier) Meets Edouard but is embarrassed and hides his eagerness; preoccupied with Bernard's departure and unable to speak openly. ### [X: The Cloakroom Ticket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/x-the-cloakroom-ticket) Seen arm in arm with Edouard; Bernard follows them. ### [XI: Edouard’s Journal: George Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xi-edouard-s-journal-george-molinier) Edouard's thoughts increasingly center on Olivier, though he struggles to interact with him. ### [Edouard's Journal: Laura's Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xii-edouard-s-journal-laura-s-wedding) Attends the wedding; holds Edouard's hand during the service, showing new friendliness. ### [XIII: Edouard’s Journal: First Visit to La Pérouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xiii-edouard-s-journal-first-visit-to-la-p-rouse) Mentioned in Edouard's later journal entries; Edouard follows him in the street and feels a distant affection. ### [XIV: Bernard and Laura](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xiv-bernard-and-laura) Mentioned as Bernard's friend and Vincent's brother; his conversation with Edouard is referenced. ### [XV: Olivier Visits the Comte de Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xv-olivier-visits-the-comte-de-passavant) Visits Passavant, accepts port and cigarettes, is offered the literary direction of a new review. ### [XVII: The Evening at Rambouillet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xvii-the-evening-at-rambouillet) Mentioned as the subject of Robert's request; Robert describes him as a promising young man and offers him the editorship of a review. ### [XVIII: Edouard’s Journal: Second Visit to La Pérouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xviii-edouard-s-journal-second-visit-to-la-p-rouse) Edouard's unsatisfactory conversation with him is mentioned; his intimate friend is the one who took Edouard's suitcase. ### [From Bernard to Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/i-from-bernard-to-olivier) Receives Bernard's letter and is overwhelmed by jealousy and despair, feeling excluded from the friendship between Bernard and Edouard. ### [From Olivier to Bernard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vi-from-olivier-to-bernard) Writes to Bernard from Corsica, describing his travels with Passavant and his new role as editor of The Vanguard. ### [VII: The Author Reviews His Characters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vii-the-author-reviews-his-characters) The author laments that Olivier fell under Passavant's influence instead of Edouard's, noting his tender nature and vanity. ### [I: Edouard’s Journal: Oscar Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/i-edouard-s-journal-oscar-molinier) Molinier's son; traveling in Corsica with the Comte de Passavant, which Molinier disapproves of. ### [V: Olivier Meets Bernard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/v-olivier-meets-bernard) Freshly returned to Paris, elegantly dressed, and anxious to impress Bernard. He adopts Passavant's ideas but feels ashamed when Bernard challenges them, leading to a painful rift. ### [VI: Edouard's Journal: Madame Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vi-edouard-s-journal-madame-molinier) Pauline's son; she laments losing his confidence and disapproves of his association with Passavant, but feels powerless to intervene. ### [VII: Olivier and Armand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vii-olivier-and-armand) Visits Armand at the Pension Vedel, seeking friendship after failing to find his uncle. He is moved by Armand's confession but is pressed for time due to a rendezvous with Passavant. ### [The Argonauts’ Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/viii-the-argonauts-dinner) Torn between Edouard's esteem and Passavant's influence; drinks curaçao for courage. ### [Olivier and Edouard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/ix-olivier-and-edouard) Attempts suicide by gas in Edouard's bathroom; is found and revived by Edouard. ### [X: Olivier’s Convalescence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/x-olivier-s-convalescence) Convalescing after his suicide attempt; barely speaks, but brightens at Bernard's voice and asks him to return. ### [XI: Edouard's Journal: Pauline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xi-edouard-s-journal-pauline) Recovering from illness and suicide attempt; asks Edouard not to investigate his motives; shares a tender moment with Edouard. ### [XII: Edouard and Then Strouvilhou Visit Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xii-edouard-and-then-strouvilhou-visit-passavant) Mentioned as having left Passavant to stay with Edouard; his belongings are being retrieved. ### [XIII: Edouard’s Journal: Douviers’ Profitendieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xiii-edouard-s-journal-douviers-profitendieu) Asks Edouard about his work; Edouard reads him the new pages and Olivier offers judicious remarks; he is anxious about the review and his story written for Passavant. ### [XVII: Armand and Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xvii-armand-and-olivier) Receives Armand's visit; listens to his cynical confessions and expresses sympathy. ### [XX: Edouard's Journal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xx-edouard-s-journal) Touched by Boris's death; informs Edouard of Bernard's return. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/olivier_molinier - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters