Richard Papen

Richard narrates the story as an outsider drawn into the glamorous world of his fellow classics students. Though he longs to belong, his naive and detached self makes him both a participant in and an observer of the group’s collapse.

Henry Winter

Henry is the intellectual cornerstone of the group, a cold, calculating genius. Obsessed with ancient ideals of beauty and power, he orchestrates events with a detached ruthlessness that makes him both fascinating and terrifying.

Edward “Bunny” Corcoran

Bunny is the most outwardly upbeat of the group, but his charm hides a manipulative and entitled temper. His tendency to push boundaries eventually makes him a liability, setting the stage for the novel’s shocking turn.

Camilla and Charles Macaulay

The twins are an inseparable pair, Camilla is composed and elegant, while Charles is more volatile and self-destructive. Their bond is unsettlingly close, adding much to the group’s dynamic.

Francis Abernathy

Francis is the group’s wry, self-indulgent art indulger. Francis often acts as a buffer in the group, but his secrets run as deep as anyone’s.