David Carr
David is a left-wing British man who likes the idea of a social revolution because he sees that many left wing policies enable those who do not want to work to thrive. He is energized by the prospect of going to Spain and joining the International Brigades. As a member of the Communist Party he expects to find support from the Soviet presence once he arrives, but he learns quickly that a social revolution is as unpopular with the communist authorities as it is with the fascists. He accidentally enlists with the POUM militia and stays with them longer than he intends to, largely because of his romance with the ideologue of the group, Blanca.
He is wounded and recovers in hospital in Barcelona and also has an epiphany which involves him going against Blanca's wishes and joining the International Brigades. This signifies the end of their relationship but when he returns to POUM he sees Blanca shot dead in a conflict with government troops. He returns to Liverpool but takes a bandana filled with Spanish soil because he has really left his heart there even though he is physically and geographically back in Liverpool.
Blanca
Blanca is a doggedly militant member of POUM and she is also largely responsible for their ideology. She is the type of person who views things in a "my way or the highway" kind of manner and when David wants to leave POUM and join the International Brigades she is rather angry, and their relationship suffers. She is killed in a conflict with Government troops but she has had an indelible effect on David, and remains the love of his life.
Maite
Maite is the enthusiastic young woman whom David meets at the border. She is also the first POUM member that he has ever met and speaks so ebulliently about the cause that she inspires him to join up with them instead of following his original plans.
Coogan
When David first arrives in Spain, Coogan and Blanca are involved in a relationship. The more time that David spends with Blanca, the more attracted he is to her. Coogan, although a comrade and a brother in arms, is nonetheless nothing more than an obsacle in David's eyes because he has set his heart on taking Blanca from him.
Bernard
Bernard is a Frenchman who has crossed the border into Spain in a similar way to David. He is a leftist and an ideologist. He likes David and takes him under his wing early on in his time in Spain.
