Sadie Kiefer
Sadie is the central figure of the narrative. She is a mysterious and introspective woman who distances herself emotionally from others. Throughout the narrative, she acts as a translator but has a hidden agenda of her own as she carefully navigates the events and people around her. Her work as a translator provides a metaphor for her internal disconnection—translating events and interactions through a lens of detachment.
She frequently reflects on personal emptiness and the complexity of interpersonal relationships. Sadie is also shown to have strong physical chemistry with characters like René but remains emotionally distant, which emphasizes her desire to remain unfettered by close emotional bonds. She is a calculated character using situations and people to serve her, such as her covert mission to gather evidence against the Moulinards.
Bruno Lacombe
Bruno Lacombe is an eccentric and reclusive figure living in a cave who embodies a philosophical and mystical side. He communicates through cryptic letters filled with musings on history, mythology, and the natural world. Furthermore, he serves as a mentor figure to some of the more radical characters as he provides insights into prehistory and humanity’s connection to the earth.
His isolation and obsession with ancient caves show his disconnection from modern society, but also his desire to uncover a lost human essence. Bruno’s influence on Sadie is substantial, as she learns about the region through his letters and discussions. Bruno’s musings reflect the novel's themes of disconnection from one’s roots and the inevitable intrusion of modernity on ancient ways of life.
René Dujardin
René is a rugged woodworker and occasional lover of Sadie. He is depicted as a physically strong, silent type, embodying a certain masculinity that contrasts with Sadie’s intellectual and detached demeanor.
Though their relationship is primarily physical, René’s presence serves as a reminder of Sadie’s ability to connect on a surface level even while remaining emotionally distant. He is also involved with the local environmental movement, which brings him into contact with the Moulinards, though he seems less ideologically driven than others in the group.
Pascal Malraux
Pascal Malraux is the leader of the Moulinards, a group of radical activists protesting state control and environmental exploitation. He is secretive and distrustful, especially of Sadie, whom he senses is not fully aligned with their cause. Pascal is depicted as deeply committed to his ideals though his leadership is challenged by internal strife within the group.
His complex relationship with Sadie is central to the novel’s tension as it is marked by suspicion and pragmatism. Pascal’s vision for revolution and resistance reflects the novel’s themes of ideological struggle and the costs of rebellion.
Lucien Savary
Lucien is Sadie’s romantic partner whose relationship with her is distant and strained. He is depicted as being preoccupied with his work oblivious to Sadie’s secretive activities. Their relationship represents the façade Sadie maintains in her personal life, using Lucien as a cover for her espionage activities. Despite being in a relationship, Lucien remains emotionally unavailable, which highlights Sadie’s detachment from traditional human connections.
Burdmoore
Burdmoore is a key operative in Sadie’s plan to assassinate Platon. He is methodical and willing to take extreme measures for the cause by embodying the more action-oriented and dangerous aspects of the resistance. Burdmoore’s role as a ruthless figure contrasts with Sadie’s cerebral approach to their mission.
Paul Platon
Paul Platon is a high-ranking state official and the target of Sadie’s assassination plot. His character represents the oppressive force of the state and the capitalist interests threatening the local environment. Platon’s presence in the novel is symbolic of the political and economic structures that the Moulinards seek to resist. His assassination becomes a turning point forcing characters to confront the moral implications of their actions.
