Dennis Barlow
The protagonist of the novel. During World War II, he served in the Royal Air Force. While he served, he published a critically-praised volume of poetry. Due to this success, Megalopolitan Pictures hires him to write a screen treatment for a biography of Percy Bysshe Shelley. His failure with screenwriting leads to the studio not renewing his contract. Twenty-eight years old, he now works as a pet funeral worker for Happier Hunting Ground, embarrassing the majority of his fellow British expatriates in Hollywood. He is somewhat flippant in his interactions with others and aimless in his current life-course. Even when he later romances Thanatogenos, his behavior eventually repels her from continuing the relationship. After the tragic death of Thanatogenos, he flees back to Great Britain.
Sir Francis Hinsley
The housemate of Dennis Barlow. About twenty-five years before, he emigrated from Great Britain to the United States to work in Hollywood as a screenwriter for Megalopolitan Pictures. Before his Hollywood career, he had a brief literary career, publishing one novel, A Free Man Greets the Dawn, which earned him his knighthood. For twelve years, he has worked in the publicity department. However, he has hit a roadblock in his career, struggling to rebrand a “non-ethnic” actress from “Spanish” to “Irish” to match cinema trends. Due to his repeated failure, he becomes increasingly worried. After he finds out that his studio contract has not been renewed and has been replaced by Lorenzo Medici, he commits suicide by hanging himself.
Sir Ambrose Abercrombie
British Expatriate Actor. Close to age sixty, he’s been serving as the self-appointed leader of the British expatriate community in Hollywood. Presenting himself as a Hollywood stereotype of a British man, he dresses formally, wearing dark grey flannels, an Eton Rambler tie, and a boater hat. He is somewhat pompous and very protective of the respectable British image in Hollywood. He’s constantly on the lookout for British expatriates who are harming that image by poor dress and grooming and unsatisfactory employment choices. Throughout the narrative, Barlow falls under his censure due to his continuing suspect decisions, especially concerning work.
Aimee Thanatogenos
Junior Cosmetician at Whispering Glades. Her name is a mixture of French and Greek, closely means beloved of the race of death and references her role in the narrative. The author depicts her as the stereotypical American girl: naïve, shallow, eager, and indecisive. Having working at Whispering Glades before Mr. Joyboy, she becomes enthralled by his careful and thorough work on the cadavers. She doesn’t know whether this enthusiasm is being transformed into love, and she becomes even more confused when she becomes infatuated with Dennis Barlow, who views her as different from other American girls, because at moments she possesses an European air. Due to being disappointed by the three important men in her lives: Barlow, Joyboy, and Slump, she commits suicide.
Mr. Joyboy
Senior Mortician and Cosmetician at Whispering Glades. He is known as supreme professional in the funeral business. Physically unappealing, he has a pleasant disposition and voice that attracts others, including Thanatogenos. Having pursued his qualifications in the Midwest and the East, and making a national reputation, he now lives in the Hollywood area with his domineering mother. At Whispering Glades, his cadavers are known for have the “Joyboy smile,” which pleases Thanatogenos and disturbs Barlow. Having worked in close proximity with Thanatogenos, he develops feelings for her, leading to rivalry with Barlow.
Mrs. Joyboy
Mr. Joyboy’s mother. Living with her son, she intensely dominates him. Having moved from Vermont to Hollywood to stay with her son, she constantly contrasts unfavorably her present circumstances with her former life in New England. She is especially devoted to her pet parrot Sambo. Due to her dominating presence and complaining spirit, she intimidates Thanatogenos during Aimee’s dinner date with her son at their house.
Mr. Schultz
Owner of Happier Hunting Ground. He is stingy, materialistic, and suspicious of foreigners and new ideas, but is proud of his work as owner of a known pet funeral parlor on the west coast. His employees include Barlow and Myra Poski. He has hostility to Whispering Glades, as he sees that friends and relatives are willing to spend copious funds on their deceased, while most pet owners only want to purchase the basic services for their “beloved” animals.
Dr. Wilbur Kenworthy
Founder and owner of Whispering Glades. Though he is not an active character in the narrative, his presence saturates Whispering Glades funeral parlor. He is called The Dreamer by his devoted employees. He has particular aesthetic tastes concerning both the architecture and the cemetery plot design. He has also invented terminology, such as The Loved One, The Waiting One, and Essential Data, to supposedly elevate the funereal process.
Mr. Slump
Advice Writer. He currently is writing as the Guru Brahmin, responding to inquiries requesting private responses. He wrote as Aunt Lydia in a previous incarnation. He works with a secretary and another writer, who is responsible for writing the public column of the Guru Brahmin. Throughout the narrative, he corresponds with Thanatogenos, who is torn between her devotion to Joyboy and her newfound affection for Barlow. He advises her to choose Joyboy, but she disregards the advice and pursues Barlow. Eventually, his gloominess and drunkenness catch up to him and he is fired by the publishing firm. When a desperate Thanatogenos calls him, his drunken rant to her leads her to commit suicide.
Mr. Walter and Mrs. Theodora Heinkel
A married couple, whose beloved dog, a Sealyham named Arthur, is killed by a vehicle near the beginning of the narrative. Highly devoted to their deceased pet, they choose multiple funeral amenities during their discussion with Barlow, the employee of Happier Hunting Ground.
