Alain
As the protagonist, Alain receives most of the narrator's attention. He identifies most closely with the narrator, as a fellow intellectual and all round great thinker. Not having seen his mother since he was a child, Alain carries with him a secret longing for family and community. He doesn't talk about his mom much, but he makes his decisions based off a deep conviction of his unworthiness and his fear of abandonment.
Ramon Quaquelique
Ramon has recently retired. As the oldest member of the band of friends, he tends to offer judgement, not of his friends but of the world in which they live. He's fun-loving and passionate, devoting much of his time to wooing women much younger than him.
Charles
Charles is a bit of a joker. He plays well in a team setting but can seek attention at times. His humor appears to be a defense against boredom, suggesting he's more intelligent than he portrays himself.
Caliban
"Caliban" is a nickname for this character, but his real name remains a mystery. He's dear friends with Charles, often getting into trouble with him. At one point he even attends one of D'Ardelo's parties disguised and in character as a Pakistani waiter. He enjoys catching people off guard and observing their reactions.
D'Ardelo
The most affluent of the group, D'Ardelo hosts many of their gatherings. He's a capable if somewhat off-putting host. D'Ardelo is a narcissist, which in this book amounts to mean he considers his own needs as more significant than other people and speaks highly of himself to no end.
The Narrator
The narrator directs the narrative. He or she is an unnamed and impersonal individual who appears to have great sway in the lives of his subjects. He directs their adventures to a certain extent, even providing the Khrushchev memoirs for them to read, so he's an active narrator. Although his relationship with the main characters is never directly explained, he appears to possess intimate knowledge of their personal histories and to stake an interest in their futures.
