About the characters
Jude: A one-time Jesuit novitiate who lost his faith before ordination, he now is barman at a tavern owned by Paul. Lives with Caul and Paul. Fast developing a debilitating cocaine habit. Central to Paul’s ambitious plans, he is the novel’s fisherking.
Caul: Half-brother of Paul and the child of an arcane pagan rite. Works as a reporter covering real estate for the local paper. The novel’s grail quester in search of a cure for Jude.
Paul: The town’s local drug lord. Caul’s older half-brother, and envies Caul’s birth right. May have once studied theology. Appears to pull all the strings behind the novel’s murky plot. Intensely dark, secretive and very difficult to penetrate.
Mae: Named after a bacchanalian reveler, she is meant to be Caul’s future consort. Recently divorced from Gary, she is unemployed and bulimic. Haunted by a dark dream, she sets out to restore her estranged relationship with Caul.
Janice: Paul’s girlfriend by name only. Whatever the deal she has struck with him, she is free to sleep with whomever she wishes. Is increasingly aware that Paul is losing his use for her. Desires to entrap Caul as leverage against Paul.
Audrey: With low self-esteem and besotted with not looking like Audrey Hepburn, after whom she is named, Audrey is easy prey for Paul. Intensely jealous of Mae for her Audrey Hepburn looks, she goes after Gary.
Gary: Son of Rupert Stetson, one of the two real estate barons in the town. Recently divorced from Mae, he hates his father and comes under the influence of Paul. Ready to do anything to advance his career in real estate. Goes out with Audrey.
Evelin: Sister to Janice and colleague to Audrey at a local law firm. A minor character, she is the novel’s only tangible link to the mysterious old woman. Deeply in tune with the Spirit’s moving.