Nick Guest
Nick Guest is The Line of Beauty's main character and protagonist. A mostly closeted gay man, Nick spent much of his life unable to full express who he truly is because of restrictive, oftentimes homophobic policies of the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher. Although he was raised in a loving, middle-class family, Nick began interacting with the Fedden family more than he did with his own family.
In his interactions with the Fedden family, who were an up-and-coming political family in England, Nick learned a lot about himself and his own life. His interactions with them forced him to reflective; he could no longer live in a bubble where everything is okay and everyone has positive motives. With the Feddens, he learns of many people's insatiable desire to accumulate wealth and power (oftentimes through politics).
Despite the difficulties Nick experiences (including seeing friends suffer tremendously with HIV/AIDS and drugs) he still has a positive attitude, reflecting the positive nature of his character. At his core, he is a good man that only wants good things to happen to those around him.
Margaret Thatcher
Although none of the characters meet her in the novel, Margaret Thatcher looms large in the novel. Her stint as Prime Minister, which lasts over the course of the novel, was marked by regressive policies that harmed people across the United Kingdom, especially members of marginalized communities (like gay people). Thatcher and her government were saviors to many right-wing people in the United Kingdom, but villains to many others.
Toby Fedden
Toby Fedden is Nick's classmate and college and he has a secret crush on him. For his part, Toby (who is straight), doesn't have a crush on Nick but fancies his company. The two spend time together talking about school and their lives more generally. They become friends and bond over their love of learning and school.
Gerald Fedden
Gerald Fedden is a Conservative politican in Margaret Thatcher's government. An intelligent but pompous and arrogant man, Gerald frequently cheats on his wife with other women (including women that work for him). Still, Gerlad calls himself a family man and pretends to live an upstanding life with his family. But his life is anything but that. Gerlad isn't there for the people he claims to love when it counts, upsetting things.
