The Nine Billion Names of God

Harry Purvis is the recurring narrator of frame stories which take place in the White Hart pub. He is described as an unreliable narrator, a liar, and a teller of fantastic tall tales. In “Patent Pending” his credentials are humorously listed as: “Mr. Harry Purvis, B.S.C. (at least), Ph.D. (probably), F.R.S. (personally I don’t think so, though it has been rumored)” (221). This character serves as a vehicle for a more trustworthy narrator to tell outrageous tales, adding a layer of complexity and nuance to what might otherwise strike the reader as too outlandish to enjoy.

Senator Steelman is arguably the most thoroughly developed character in this collection. He is an ambitious man who puts his career before his health and family. He sacrifices emotional intimacy with his loved ones in favor of political prowess. His goal is to become President of the United States, and he is on track to achieve this when he learns he has heart disease and will die shortly. This news shocks him into personal growth. Suddenly he spends all of his free time with his grandchildren, wraps up loose ends with his career, makes amends with old enemies, and rekindles his relationship with his estranged wife.