Main characters
Emily
Our protagonist and point of view character; a self-assured and opinionated girl with her whole life ahead of her. Her mum died one time but at least she got a very cool friend out of it. Studying medicine at university.
Death / Dee
The end of every living thing. Not made of ordinary matter. A bit naive and neurotic, all things considered. Astounded at being befriended by Emily, and everything that’s ensued. Appears to her in the form of the Grim Reaper.
Zoe
Generally known to be ‘sexy’ and ‘sporty’, Zoe didn’t cross paths with Emily much at school until one fateful night. Now she is a close friend of Emily, as well as Dee, who she fears. Has some psychosocial problems. Goes to study psychology at university but ends up doing literature.
People met in the high school era (chapters 1-50)
Markus
A soft nerdy boy; likes poetry. In unrequited love with Emily almost from day 1 of high school, though he did try to get over it. She was very flattered upon finally having this explained to her. Romance…? Well they got together anyway. Studying literature and creative writing at university.
Abe
Markus’ best friend. Sadly, his better qualities don’t appear on the page as much. His urge to ‘defend’ Markus from Emily’s disinterest and rudeness goes well for nobody. He moves to Canberra for university.
Harrison / Hattie
A member of Markus and Abe’s high school friendship group. Big into debating. Studying politics at university. Ascended trans ally.
Jad
A member of Markus and Abe’s high school friendship group. Goes to the same Greek Orthodox church as Markus. Studying law at university.
Angie
A member of Markus and Abe’s high school friendship group. Theatre kid. Put on to the curly girl hair care method by Jad.
Iris
A member of Markus and Abe’s high school friendship group. Took strongly against Emily due to an off-screen incident on the bus to/from school, but came around later.
Olive
Emily’s pen-pal who lives in Edinburgh; a couple of years younger than her. Knows about, but hasn’t directly met, Dee.
Others:
- Lucy and Lydia – Zoe’s “best friends” prior to Emily. They weren’t very nice to her.
- Mike – previously part of Markus and Abe’s friendship group but moved away from the school.
- Teachers: Ms Harrison (year 8 English teacher), librarian (fan of Terry Pratchett), geography teacher (year 9), Mr Rosenfeld (year 10 tutorial teacher), Miss Golde (a maths teacher).
- Rick – Lives in Emily’s street, goes to a different school; had a go bullying her for chatting openly to her invisible friend, hopefully learned some kind of lesson?
- Mary – works at the same nursing home as Emily’s part time job.
- Gus – resident of the nursing home, first person Emily deliberately arranged to attend the dying of.
People met in the university era (chapters 57-?)
Nina
Member of the university Outdoors Club along with Emily. Lives in a sharehouse with Emily and Zoe. Studying computer science.
Brandon and Lee-Anne
The other two members of Markus and Emily’s TTRPG party.
Emily’s family
Louise
Emily’s mother who died of lung cancer, aged 35, on the first page. Remembered as a politically active bisexual wild child.
Ella
Louise’s sister, Emily’s aunt who raised her. Works as a dentist. Misses her sister.
Alan
Ella’s husband, Emily’s uncle who raised her. A jovial bloke. Taught Emily to play chess.
Maddy
The older of Emily’s two cousins, who are like her little sisters. Plays netball. Got bullied by Abe’s brother when she started year 7.
Carmine
The younger of Emily’s two cousins, who are like her little sisters. Also plays netball. Rambunctious.
Lachlan
Emily’s father, who briefly dated Louise and didn’t know anything else until Emily was 16. Lives in Edinburgh with his wife Miriam, and their children Michael and Hannah.
Other:
- Grandma – Ella and Louise’s mum. Sometimes comes to Christmas but usually doesn’t. Never talks about China.
- Alan’s sister, Alan’s brother-in-law, and their sons Phillip and Jacob; they have a beach house which Emily’s family visits for Christmas.
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