Henri
Henri is a young Frenchman who joins Bonaparte's military and becomes his personal cook. He, and many others, idolize their leader and are blindly facing death for his glory.
Patrick
Patrick is an Irish man who joined Bonaparte's military as well. He is responsible for comic breaks in the novel and the trait that got him into his present situation is his unique eye that can be compared to a telescope and allows him to see long distances.
Villanelle
Villanelle is a Venetian girl. She is a boatman's daughter and is the first girl to inherit the boatman's webbed feet. She becomes a gambler and is always in search of movement. She and Henri meet in Russia, escape the military together, and become lovers.
