The Counterfeiters · Character

Strouvilhou

Passavant's cold-eyed cousin and a man of flexible virtue, Strouvilhou slides into the review's management just as Olivier slides out.

supporting

Also known as virtuous Strouvilhou, a certain Strouvilhou, Victor Strouvilhou, Cousin Strouvilhou

First appearance: XII: Edouard and Then Strouvilhou Visit Passavant

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

Arrives at Passavant's during Olivier's visit; his card is presented.

In the storyXV: Olivier Visits the Comte de PassavantOpen this moment free

See Strouvilhou in XV: Olivier Visits the Comte de Passavant Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

When Passavant decides he has tired of Olivier, it is Strouvilhou he writes to, ready to hand over the review to a man whose usefulness outweighs his scruples. Nicknamed 'virtuous' with unmistakable irony, he moves through the novel's criminal and literary circles with the same unhurried competence, a fixer for schemes that need a respectable face. His arrival marks the moment the counterfeit-coin affair and the world of letters begin to touch, and the moral weather of the book turns colder.

Continue beside the text

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

See Strouvilhou in XII: Edouard and Then Strouvilhou Visit Passavant

Character Web

13 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Passavant's Criminal Network
Vedel Pension Circle

+8 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling 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…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

Strouvilhou appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XV: Olivier Visits the Comte de Passavant
Arrives at Passavant's during Olivier's visit; his card is presented.
Edouard's Journal: Conversation with Sophroniska
Mentioned as having obtained Boris's talisman; Edouard recalls knowing him from the past.
XII: Edouard and Then Strouvilhou Visit Passavant
Visits Passavant for a proposal about a literary dictatorship; expresses contempt for humanity and conventional morality.
XVI: Edouard Warns George
Warned by Ghéridanisol about the counterfeiting investigation and takes precautions.
XVII: Armand and Olivier
Mentioned as the uncle of a schoolboy who recommended Cob-Lafleur to Passavant.
XVIII: "The Strong Men"
Mentioned as having advised Ghéridanisol to leave Boris alone, but his influence is ignored.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Strouvilhou in XII: Edouard and Then Strouvilhou Visit Passavant

See Strouvilhou in XV: Olivier Visits the Comte de Passavant