# Larry O'Keefe — The Moon Pool character guide > Larry O'Keefe in The Moon Pool by A. Merritt. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Larry, O'Keefe, Lieutenant O'Keefe, the O'Keefe **First appearance:** 0009-vii-larry-o-keefe ## Snapshot A charming Irish-American airman who traded a purposeless life for adventure, now haunted by banshee lore and an unshakable belief in the unseen. ## Who they are Larry O'Keefe is the soldier-protagonist whose easy wit and Eton-Harvard polish mask a deep-rooted Irish mysticism he can neither explain nor dismiss. He has heard the banshee twice and seen the green people of Carntogher woods, yet he faces war and danger with a grin, making him both the most modern and most superstitious man in the expedition. His willingness to follow the uncanny where others hesitate makes him the natural partner for Goodwin's scientific inquiry and the pivot on which the story's descent into Muria turns. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/dedication) Mentioned in the dedication for his faith in the fairies. ### [VI: “The Shining Devil Took Them!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/vi-the-shining-devil-took-them) Rescued from a wrecked hydroairplane; British Royal Flying Corps lieutenant with a cheerful, devil-may-care attitude. ### [VII: Larry O'Keefe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/vii-larry-o-keefe) Introduced as a rescued aviator; shares his Irish-American background and mystical experiences. ### [VIII: Olaf's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/viii-olaf-s-story) Demonstrates a banshee cry, shows skepticism toward the supernatural events, but pledges comradeship to Goodwin. ### [IX: A Lost Page of Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/ix-a-lost-page-of-earth) Sings cheerfully, debates Goodwin's theories with humor, proposes a gas hallucination explanation, and agrees to accompany Goodwin to Nan-Matal. ### [The Moon Pool](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/x-the-moon-pool) Assists with the condensers, fights Marakinoff, and remains cheerful despite being trapped. ### [XI: The Flame-Tipped Shadows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xi-the-flame-tipped-shadows) Negotiates with Marakinoff, accepting the alliance with guarded trust; experiences an instant, profound connection with the golden-eyed girl (Lakla) and insists on following her. ### [XII: The End of the Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xii-the-end-of-the-journey) Leads the group into Muria, dismisses supernatural explanations, and defends the frog woman as a pet owner. ### [XIII: Yolara, Priestess of the Shining One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xiii-yolara-priestess-of-the-shining-one) Leads the group down the stairway, hands Goodwin an automatic, and shows bravado in the face of the unknown. ### [XIV: The Justice of Lora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xiv-the-justice-of-lora) Speaks haltingly but charms Yolara with his flattery; translates for Olaf and hides his understanding of the danger. ### [XV: The Angry, Whispering Globe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xv-the-angry-whispering-globe) Eagerly asks about Lakla, recites an Irish legend, and succumbs to drugged sleep while murmuring her name. ### [XVI: Yolara of Muria vs. the O’Keefe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xvi-yolara-of-muria-vs-the-o-keefe) Defiantly demonstrates his pistol's speed against the Keth, claims surface-world powers, remains calm under invisible attack. ### [The Leprechaun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xvii-the-leprechaun) Awaiting Goodwin after the shell ride; somber and watchful during the interrogation; later tells Goodwin about his leprechaun vision and teaches Yolara songs to keep his perspective. ### [XVIII: The Amphitheatre of Jet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xviii-the-amphitheatre-of-jet) Accompanies Goodwin to the amphitheatre, shows excitement about the upcoming event, and expresses concern for Olaf. ### [The Madness of Olaf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xix-the-madness-of-olaf) Bravely intervenes to protect Olaf, shoots the Shining One, threatens Lugur with his pistol, and is called 'my lord' by Yolara. ### [XX: The Tempting of Larry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xx-the-tempting-of-larry) Tempted by Yolara, becomes intoxicated, recites the Curse of Mora, and is claimed as her mate. ### [XXI: Larry’s Defiance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxi-larry-s-defiance) Defiantly refuses to be taken by Lugur and Yolara, declares he will follow Lakla, and later dons his uniform with bravado, revealing Marakinoff's offer of an emperorship. ### [XXII: The Casting of the Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxii-the-casting-of-the-shadow) Saves Rador with a quick shot, comforts Olaf, and attempts to shoot Lugur before being stopped by Rador. ### [XXIII: Dragon Worm and Moss Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxiii-dragon-worm-and-moss-death) Expresses frustration at Rador's superstition, jokes about the perils, and is struck by a mysterious light from Lugur's men. ### [The Crimson Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxiv-the-crimson-sea) Lies in a deathlike trance after being struck by a light; carried by a frog-man, with Lakla watching over him. ### [XXV: The Three Silent Ones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxv-the-three-silent-ones) Unconscious and near death; carried by Olaf; healed by the Silent Ones; awakens and embraces Lakla. ### [The Wooing of Lakla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxvi-the-wooing-of-lakla) Openly woos Lakla, calling her 'mavourneen' and 'acushla'; expresses fear for her safety when she handles the Yekta. ### [XXVII: The Coming of Yolara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxvii-the-coming-of-yolara) Dreams of Lakla, then struggles against invisible attackers and confronts Yolara. ### [XXVIII: In the Lair of the Dweller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxviii-in-the-lair-of-the-dweller) Present with Goodwin and Lakla; holds Lakla's girdle during the journey; pale after witnessing the Medusae feeding. ### [XXIX: The Shaping of the Shining One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxix-the-shaping-of-the-shining-one) Present in Lakla's boudoir, listening to the history; he is to be asked a question by the Three. ### [XXX: The Building of the Moon Pool](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxx-the-building-of-the-moon-pool) Interrupts Lakla's tale to suggest the green land beyond the Black Precipices of Doul is Ireland; expresses hope for the souls of the Shining One's victims. ### [Larry and the Frog-Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxxi-larry-and-the-frog-men) Refuses to be carried by the Akka, insists on walking despite stiffness; later insists on leading the battle against Yolara, rejecting Lakla's attempts to keep him safe. ### [XXXII: “Your Love; Your Lives; Your Souls!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxxii-your-love-your-lives-your-souls) Brave and resolute; agrees to the sacrifice with Lakla, declaring 'We stick!' despite his doubts. ### [The Meeting of Titans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-meeting-of-titans) Regains cheerfulness before battle but is ordered by the Silent Ones to stay with Lakla and Goodwin. He fights off attackers and protects Lakla. ### [The Coming of the Shining One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-coming-of-the-shining-one) Grieves Olaf, tries to shoot Marakinoff but misses, and resolves to face death with Lakla. ### [XXXV: “Larry—Farewell!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxxv-larry-farewell) Helps search for Throckmartin; shows affection for Lakla; races to save Goodwin from Marakinoff but is too late. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/larry_okeefe - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters