Alice Kelleher
The protagonist of the novel is likely to be viewed by many readers as the alter ego of the novelist herself. Alice is a wildly successful author living in New York City who is celebrated as the voice of a generation but is uncomfortable with requirements of being famous. The pressures have resulted in what used to be called a nervous breakdown. In fact, it still is called that by Alice who has moved from a psychiatric hospital into an oversized house by the sea where she is housesitting for free until the owners can unload it.
Felix Brady
Felix is employed in a warehouse and Alice is increasingly drawn to him precisely because he doesn’t treat her like she a famous writer. They meet through an app, sustain a love/hate relationship and then go off together on a trip to Rome. Meanwhile, Felix makes claims to bisexuality by expressing a desire for Simon.
Simon Costigan
Simon Costigan is a political consultant for liberal politicians who is also a childhood friend of Eileen. He is also very religious to the point of seriously entertaining the idea of entering the priesthood. The on/off relationship between Simon and Eileen is just one of things that make that idea a bit prickly. The fact that he is just slightly older and perhaps more beautiful than Eileen are other things complicating the picture. And, of course, there is Felix’s supposed sexual desire for him.
Eileen Lydon
Eileen is actually the secondary protagonist rather than either Felix or Simon. The two women communicate through email in long exchanges that make up the bulk of the most interesting parts of the novel. This is, in fact, why the character descriptions are so sparse. Both the male characters are barely more than blurry concepts in comparison to the far deeper penetrations into the minds of Alice and Eileen. Since their relationship is based on verbal exchanges, however, a certain lack of focus must be applied to describing them as well. It is the relationship of Alice and Eileen that is most significant and that relationship is explored intellectually for the most part.
