Jasper Dean Jasper Dean is Martin Dean's illegitimate son and Terry Dean's nephew. He narrates most of the novel, save some sections which are narrated instead by Martin. Jasper's difficult relationship with his father is the central subject of the book, and he leads a confused childhood due to Martin's constant bizarre lessons and diatribes. His central conflict is a fear of turning into his father, and he often works to distance himself from Martin, though their bond is strangely loving in its own way.
Martin Dean Martin Dean, the father of Jasper Dean, is paranoid, philosophical, and intelligent. As a child, he spent four years and four months in a coma; upon waking up, the resulting unfamiliarity with the world led to his later misanthropy. Martin is transfixed by his inevitable death and will stop at nothing to leave his mark on the world; this leads to a series of "immortality projects" which inevitably end up backfiring. He is also determined to indoctrinate his son Jasper with his beliefs.
Terry Dean Terry Dean is Martin's younger half-brother. He is described as blond and handsome. He grew up as a natural athlete who loved sports with a religious fervor, hating all cheaters. When Terry is injured and can no longer take part in any sport, he turns to a life of crime, going from juvenile delinquency to a vigilante crusade against every cheating athlete in Australia. He is eventually captured, and later presumed dead when a brushfire burns down his prison.
Caroline Potts She is a childhood love of both Martin and Terry and the daughter of the richest man in the town where they grew up. She leaves to travel the world, returning for her father when he is blinded in an explosion caused by Terry. She eventually reappears, marrying Martin when they are both middle-aged.
Astrid Jasper's mother was accidentally impregnated by Martin after they had a chance meeting on New Year's. Though Martin initially loves her, he becomes more and more exasperated with her as she sinks into depression during pregnancy. Jasper has never met her.
Eddie A longtime friend of Martin's; they met in Paris. Jasper is suspicious of Eddie, as he takes long, unexplained vacations, constantly lends Martin money, and is always taking pictures of them. Eddie is trained as a doctor and dreams of returning to his home in Thailand to start a practice.
Anouk She is a beautiful woman whom Martin hires as a housekeeper after catching her keying his car. Her attempts to point out Martin's flaws lead to his psychological breakdown, but she becomes a voice of sanity who stays on to help the Dean family. She is constantly in the middle of a nasty breakup and is versed in meditation.
Harry West This hardened criminal resides in the prison that overlooks Martin and Terry's hometown. Martin hires Harry to act as a mentor for Terry's fledgling criminal operation. As Harry's sanity deteriorates, Martin becomes his only confidante. Harry asks him for help in publishing his vision, a textbook for criminals.
Martin's parents The couple are never named in the book. Martin and Terry's mother is a Jewish immigrant who migrated to Australia by way of
Shanghai after the end of
World War II. It had been a center of many European Jewish refugees. She loses Martin's father when he is shot. Later she remarries again and has a second son, Terry Dean. She is devoted to both sons. Terry's father is an alcoholic who moved with his wife to a small town in
New South Wales when he found work building a prison. He blames Martin for sending Terry down the wrong path in life, and has an uneasy relationship with Martin. ==Plot==