# Roger Mifflin — The Haunted Bookshop character guide > Roger Mifflin in The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Roger, Mr. Roger Mifflin, Mr. Mifflin, Mifflin **First appearance:** 0001-the-haunted-bookshop ## Snapshot The bookshop's proprietor, a small round philosopher who believes books are living things and advertising is a sin against them. ## Who they are Roger Mifflin presides over his Brooklyn shop like a priest over a reliquary, hand-selling O. Henry and Samuel Butler to anyone who wanders in and treating the lending of a book as a sacred trust. He is suspicious of the modern world, of publicity men, and especially of the German customer who keeps leaving packages behind, yet his hospitality is genuine and his instincts about people are sharp. His refusal to sell the Cromwell, and his mounting alarm over Weintraub's suitcase, make him both the conscience and the mystery at the center of the shop. ## Relationships ### [Aubrey Gilbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/aubrey_gilbert) _friendship_ Aubrey and Roger develop a close, mentor-like friendship as Aubrey becomes involved in the bookshop's mysteries and Roger's philosophical world. ### [Titania Chapman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/titania_chapman) _professional_ Roger is Titania's employer and father figure at the bookshop, guiding her work and protecting her with paternal concern. ### [Helen Mifflin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/helen_mifflin) _family_ Helen is Roger's devoted wife, sharing his love for books and supporting his eccentric bookshop ventures. ### [Mr. Chapman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/mr_chapman) _professional_ Mr. Chapman is a business associate and friend of Roger, involved in the bookshop's affairs and Titania's welfare. ### [Mr. Oldham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/mr_oldham) _social_ Mr. Oldham is a regular customer and acquaintance of Roger, sharing a mutual appreciation for books and conversation. ### [Bock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/bock) _rivalry_ Bock is a German spy and antagonist who opposes Roger's patriotic and literary ideals, leading to conflict. ### [Jerry Gladfist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/jerry_gladfist) _friendship_ Jerry Gladfist is a loyal friend and fellow book lover who shares Roger's enthusiasm for literature and adventure. ### [Aubrey Gilbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/aubrey_gilbert) _friendship_ Aubrey and Roger develop a close, mentor-like friendship as Aubrey becomes involved in the bookshop's mysteries and Roger's philosophical world. ### [Titania Chapman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/titania_chapman) _professional_ Roger is Titania's employer and father figure at the bookshop, guiding her work and protecting her with paternal concern. ### [Titania Chapman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/titania_chapman) _professional_ Roger is Titania's employer and father figure at the bookshop, guiding her work and protecting her with paternal concern. ### [Helen Mifflin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/helen_mifflin) _family_ Helen is Roger's devoted wife, sharing his love for books and supporting his eccentric bookshop ventures. ### [Aubrey Gilbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/characters/aubrey_gilbert) _friendship_ Aubrey and Roger develop a close, mentor-like friendship as Aubrey becomes involved in the bookshop's mysteries and Roger's philosophical world. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/dedication) Mentioned as the protagonist of a previous work, Parnassus on Wheels, whose further adventures inspired this book. ### [The Haunted Bookshop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/the-haunted-bookshop) The eccentric proprietor of the Haunted Bookshop, whose passionate and unconventional approach to bookselling defines the shop's character. ### [I: The Haunted Bookshop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/i-the-haunted-bookshop) The eccentric proprietor of the Haunted Bookshop, who passionately discusses his views on bookselling, the power of books, and his unique kitchen philosophy. ### [The Corn Cob Club](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/ii-the-corn-cob-club) Hosts the Corn Cob Club meeting and passionately argues that booksellers should promote quality literature. ### [III: Titania Arrives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/iii-titania-arrives) Shows Titania around, posts a bulletin about The Dynasts, and curates a shelf of books for her literary education. ### [IV: The Disappearing Volume](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/iv-the-disappearing-volume) Hosts the reading session, discovers the lost ad, and expresses delight that someone would steal a good book. ### [Aubrey Walks Part Way Home—and Rides the Rest of the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/v-aubrey-walks-part-way-home-and-rides-the-rest-of-the-way) Mentioned as the bookseller who read aloud from Somebody's Luggage earlier in the evening. ### [VI: Titania Learns the Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/vi-titania-learns-the-business) Explains his vision of the bookshop as a powerhouse for truth and beauty, discusses the haunting nature of unread books, and critiques shallow entertainment. ### [Aubrey Takes Lodgings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/vii-aubrey-takes-lodgings) Mentioned as the owner of the Haunted Bookshop; his bulletin board is visible from Aubrey's window. ### [Aubrey Goes to the Movies, and Wishes He Knew More German](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/viii-aubrey-goes-to-the-movies-and-wishes-he-knew-more-german) Mentioned as having a telephone call from Philadelphia and planning a trip on Monday. ### [IX: Again the Narrative Is Retarded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/ix-again-the-narrative-is-retarded) Spends the evening writing and dreaming about the future of bookselling; writes a reflective letter to Andrew McGill. ### [Roger Raids the Icebox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/x-roger-raids-the-icebox) Spends the evening writing to Andrew, selling a book, closing the shop, raiding the icebox, and reading in the cellar. ### [XI: Titania Tries Reading in Bed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/xi-titania-tries-reading-in-bed) Mentioned as having gone to spend the day with Titania's father, leaving her alone at the bookshop. ### [Aubrey Determines to Give Service That’s Different](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/xii-aubrey-determines-to-give-service-that-s-different) Mentioned as having returned home safely with his wife and employee; his bookshop is the focus of Aubrey's investigation. ### [XIII: The Battle of Ludlow Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/xiii-the-battle-of-ludlow-street) Roger travels to Philadelphia believing he has been summoned to appraise the Oldham library, only to discover it was a hoax. ### [XIV: The Cromwell Makes Its Last Appearance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/xiv-the-cromwell-makes-its-last-appearance) Roger learns of Weintraub's activities, explains the page numbers in the Cromwell book, and returns to the bookshop where he survives the explosion by taking cover behind a set of Trollope. ### [Mr. Chapman Waves His Wand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/xv-mr-chapman-waves-his-wand) Discusses the explosion's aftermath, plans to rebuild the bookshop, and receives Mr. Chapman's offer to finance book-wagons. ## 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