# Sophia Maltravers — The Lost Stradivarius character guide

> Sophia Maltravers in The Lost Stradivarius by John Meade Falkner.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Miss Sophia Maltravers, Sophy, Miss Maltravers

**First appearance:** 0002-letter-from-miss-sophia-maltravers-to-her-nephew-sir-edward-maltravers-then-a-student-at-christ-church-oxford

## Snapshot

Sir John's devoted sister, who nurses him through his decline and later sets down the family's painful history for his son Edward.

## Who they are

Writing from Bath in 1867, Sophy fulfills her brother's dying request by narrating the Oxford years to her nephew, choosing truth over the garbled versions others might supply. In her account she is both witness and guardian, tracing John's passion for the violin and his friendship with Gaskell with an affection that makes the coming darkness harder to bear. Her letter is the reader's doorway into the Maltravers inheritance, and her loyal, unsparing memory shapes how the whole story is told.

## In the story

### [Letter from Miss Sophia Maltravers to Her Nephew, Sir Edward Maltravers, Then a Student at Christ Church, Oxford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/letter-from-miss-sophia-maltravers-to-her-nephew-sir-edward-maltravers-then-a-student-at-christ-church-oxford)

The author of the letter, fulfilling her brother's dying request to communicate the truth to her nephew.

### [Miss Sophia Maltravers’ Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/miss-sophia-maltravers-story)

Narrator of the chapter, providing insight into her brother's life and the family's troubled legacy.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/iii)

Narrator of the chapter; observes John's attraction to Constance and accompanies the party to Oxford.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/v)

Narrates the chapter, expresses dread about the apparition, discovers the coat of arms on the music book.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/ix)

Narrates the chapter, observes John's recovery, and studies the portrait of Adrian Temple.

### [The Summer and the Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/x)

The narrator, observes John's changes with grief and tries to maintain family harmony.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/xi)

Narrator; observes John's madness and Constance's suffering.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/xii)

Narrator; travels to Italy to see her dying brother.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/xiii)

Narrator; cares for her brother John, discovers unopened letters from Constance, and explores the villa's unsettling surroundings.

### [Mr. Gaskell’s Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/mr-gaskell-s-note)

Her narrative is referenced; she is present during the confession scene.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/sophia_maltravers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters