# Ivan Andreievitch — The Secret City character guide > Ivan Andreievitch in The Secret City by Hugh Walpole. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Ivan, Dear Ivan Andreievitch **First appearance:** 0004-i ## Snapshot An ageing Englishman nicknamed Durdles, he lodges with the Markovitches, listens to Vera's confessions, and narrates the tangle of love and weakness around him. ## Who they are Ivan Andreievitch is the quiet English boarder who becomes, by Christmas, a member of the Markovitch family — patronised by Boris, treated with friendly indifference by Nina, trusted by Vera. Past the age of romance, he offers Vera the comprehension and fidelity she cannot find in her husband or her lover, and she pours out to him her self-contempt, her passion for Sherry, and her despair at her own softness. His patient, self-deprecating presence anchors the flat's emotional storms and gives the story its observing conscience. ## Relationships ### [Nina Michailovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/nina_michailovna) _family_ Ivan is a relative or close family friend of Nina, offering paternal advice and protection. ### [Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/alexei_petrovitch_semyonov) _friendship_ Alexei and Ivan share a respectful friendship, often discussing politics and philosophy. ### [Vera Michailovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/vera_michailovna) _family_ Ivan is a protective elder relative of Vera, often concerned for her wellbeing. ### [Vera Michailovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/vera_michailovna) _family_ Ivan is a protective elder relative of Vera, often concerned for her wellbeing. ### [Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/alexei_petrovitch_semyonov) _friendship_ Alexei and Ivan share a respectful friendship, often discussing politics and philosophy. ### [Nina Michailovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/nina_michailovna) _family_ Ivan is a relative or close family friend of Nina, offering paternal advice and protection. ### [Nina Michailovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/nina_michailovna) _family_ Ivan is a relative or close family friend of Nina, offering paternal advice and protection. ## In the story ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/ix) Ivan is the narrator, reflecting on Bohun's state and the evening's events. He joins Vera and Bohun on the walk to the cinema, observing the atmosphere and Bohun's transformation. ### [Markovitch's Confidences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/x) The narrator, who listens to Markovitch's confessions and reflects on his own passive interest in life. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xx) Narrator who is drawn into conversation with Semyonov, pleads with him to leave Vera and Lawrence alone, and listens to Semyonov's story. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xxii) Narrator and observer of the party; notices tensions and the exchange between Vera and Lawrence. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/i) The narrator, to whom Markovitch writes a note after the confrontation. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/iii) Durward addresses him in his thoughts; Vera calls him by this name during their conversation. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/iv) Narrates the encounter, resists Semyonov's pressure, and asserts his determination to stay. ### [Nina's Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/vi) Present in the background; Nina notices him reading a paper during her conversation with Semyonov. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xi) The listener to Markovitch's story; the narrator of the book. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xii) Narrates the chapter; defends Lawrence and argues with Semyonov. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/iv) The narrator, who visits Grogoff to persuade Nina to return home and reflects on the revolutionary atmosphere. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/vii) The narrator, who walks with Markovitch to the church and tries to comfort him. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/viii) Present at the Easter meal, happy and oblivious to the tensions around him. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xi) The narrator, who decides to leave his apartment and confronts Semyonov about his behavior. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as going to bed that night, but not directly involved in the events. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xiv) The narrator, who receives Vera's confession and observes the meeting, including Grogoff and the Rat. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/ivan_andreievitch - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters