Mr. Wrong Number

Colin Beck is one of the novel’s primary characters and first-person narrators. The chapters and subsections titled with Colin’s name are written from his point of view. In the narrative present, Colin is 29 years old. He lives in a condo he purchased with his own money in Omaha, Nebraska. He rents out one of his rooms to his close high school friend Jack and agrees to let Olivia stay with them when he hears about her recent difficulties in Chicago. He has money and status because of the life he’s worked hard to create, but these aspects of his life don’t overshadow his empathy.

Colin comes from a wealthy, elite family and his personal background informs his character in the present. Although he has a close relationship with his older sister Jillian and loves his mother, Colin has always had a fraught dynamic with his father, Thomas Beck. Thomas disapproves of Colin’s choices to attend a public high school and a state university, but according to Thomas, Colin’s “ultimate sin was not going into law” (174). Thomas “and the Becks before him […] spent their entire lives working to build a prominent and thriving practice” but Colin has never wanted to join the family business (174). Instead, Colin has devoted his life to studying mathematics and establishing himself in the finance world. He’s done so because he’s passionate about numbers, and also because he values his own happiness and well-being above “[r]espectability and influence, wealth and connections” (174). Colin’s portions of the narrative trace his attempt to balance his personal and vocational goals and to own his identity with pride.

Colin’s relationship with Olivia grants him a new perspective on life and brings out the best in his character. Olivia is initially surprised when she notices how kind Colin is to her while they’re living together. She’s always seen him as being an entitled, pretentious person and therefore doesn’t know how to reconcile her misconceptions with Colin’s true self. Indeed, Colin is a kind-hearted and generous character. He listens to the people he cares about and goes out of his way to make them comfortable and happy. In his relationship with Olivia, he strives to protect and care for her by investing in her work and giving her gifts. Over time, his physical attraction to her grows into a deep friendship, and finally into a caring, romantic relationship, establishing the Evolution From Friendship to Romantic Love as a central theme in the novel.

Jack Marshall, a secondary character in Mr. Wrong Number, is one of Olivia’s two brothers and Colin’s roommate. Jack invites Olivia to come stay with him and Colin after she burns down her apartment because he cares about his sister and wants to help her, positioning him as a helper and confidante to Olivia throughout the novel. Throughout the novel, Jack often teases and jokes with Olivia, but he also invests in her life in more sincere ways. He asks her questions about her work and relationships, helps her settle into Omaha, and lends her advice when she needs it. Jack is also protective by nature, which is why Olivia and Colin worry about upsetting him when they start seeing each other. However, Jack surprises them by giving them his proverbial blessing, consistent with the character Painter establishes for him.

Sara Mills, Olivia’s friend, acts as her companion and support system throughout her time in Omaha. Olivia and Sara were friends in high school but have since lost touch. They reconnect after they run into each other shortly after Olivia returns to town. They start to meet up on a regular basis and during these visits, the friends share stories from their lives and give each other advice.

Painter characterizes Sara as a kind, sympathetic, and supportive character. She doesn’t judge Olivia for her recent experiences and instead stands by her side throughout the novel, bolstering her whenever she’s feeling down. Sara celebrates Olivia’s successes and supports Olivia’s personal growth by consistently reaffirming her sense of self. The repeated scenes of Sara and Olivia getting coffee or going to happy hour together capture their close connection.

Painter characterizes Glenda Budd, Olivia’s editor and boss at the Times, as a caring and kind individual who encourages Olivia’s writing talents. She eagerly hires her to write the 402 Mom column and other culture and entertainment pieces for the magazine. Glenda also proves herself to be gracious and forgiving. Though she’s compelled to fire Olivia for lying about her circumstances to get the job, Glenda doesn’t allow her view of Olivia to be defined by this mistake—as evidenced by the positive recommendation she gives Olivia when she’s applying to Feminine Rage.

Eli, Olivia’s ex-boyfriend, never appears in the present day of the narrative because their relationship ends before the start of the novel. However, he regularly features in Olivia’s memories and flashbacks. Eli is an unsympathetic character who cheats on Olivia and breaks up with her to be with her best friend. He doesn’t prioritize Olivia’s feelings or needs and proves himself to be selfish and uncaring. Throughout their relationship, Olivia viewed having a boyfriend as evidence of her personal success and stability. However, Eli’s betrayal leads Olivia realize that he never loved her the way she hoped. Her relationship with him therefore complicates her regard for romantic intimacy in the narrative present. Painter positions Eli as a foil for Colin, exhibiting the negative traits that Colin’s character lacks. He also acts as an antagonistic force in the story, disrupting Olivia’s life in Chicago and unsettles her psyche in the present.

Nancy Marshall, Olivia’s mom, creates conflict throughout Olivia’s storyline, because Olivia is often trying to please her. She knows that her mom disapproves of her life and views her choices as immature and irresponsible. When she faces personal or professional challenges, she worries that Nancy’s regard for her will worsen. Olivia often feels tense when she must spend time with her mom because she wants Nancy to feel proud of her. Nancy isn’t a traditional antagonist, because she doesn’t have nefarious intentions. However, Olivia’s fear of disapproval from Nancy adds additional stakes to Olivia’s journey of self-discovery.