Frank Wheeler
Frank Wheeler is one of protagonists of the novel. He is a quite regular guy who wants his wife to love him and live a simple life. Frank proves to be a practical one. As soon as he finds an easy and well-paid job, he gives up on his dreams of going to Europe and settling down there. Frank is not always capable of taming his temper.
April Wheeler
April Wheeler is one of protagonists of the novel. Her main tragedy is that she has never been happy and always felt neglected. She couldn’t decide what she wanted to do that was why when she met Frank – a guy who could make her laugh – she agreed to marry him. The idea of going to Paris fascinates her. She deludes herself that Paris is capable of improving their lives. April also proves to be naïve and selfish.
Shep Campbell
Shep Campbell is a friend of the Wheelers. Although he is married and has four kids, he is in love with April Wheeler, who – according to him – is an embodiment of perfection. Shep is neither a good father nor a loving father.
Molly Campbell
Molly Campbell is Shep’s wife. Being an ordinary woman, she can’t compete with April. She is not well-bred, doesn’t know anything about sophisticated topics and doesn’t even try to change that. She is completely satisfied with a role of a mother. The only one problem Molly has is Shep’s agression.
Mrs. Givings
Mrs. Givings is an estate agent. In order not to spoil her image of a successful woman, an ideal wife and a loving mother, she hides the fact that her marriage is an unhappy one and that her son is ill.
Maureen Grube
Maureen Grube is Frank’s coworker and lover. Although Frank likes thinking that their relationship is just for fun, Maureen falls in love with him and hopes that he reciprocates her feelings.
Norma
Norma is Maureen’s roommate.
Michael Wheeler
Michael Wheeler is a four-year-old son of April and Frank.
Jennifer
Jennifer is a six-year-old daughter of April and Frank.
J.R. Ordway
J.R. Ordway is Frank’s colleague. Just like Frank, he is unhappy in his marriage.
Sally
Sally is Ordway’s wife.
Ed Small
Ed Small is Frank’s colleague.
Vince Lathrop
Vince Lathrop is Frank’s colleague.
Howard Givings
Howard Givings is Helen’s Givings husband.
John
John is a son of Howard and Helen Givings. John is a schizophrenic and that is the fact Mrs. Givings tries to hide.
