A young American diplomat from a wealthy background living in Paris; he is generous, sensitive, and forms close friendships, though often struggles with romantic relationships.

Henry’s friend and coworker at a newspaper, characterized by his depressive outlook and misogynistic tendencies, who is preoccupied with artistic integrity but struggles with creative paralysis.

Henry’s enigmatic and largely absent wife, whose emotional influence on Henry is profound and tied to specific Parisian memories and spaces, despite her limited presence in the narrative.

The wife of Henry's acquaintance Sylvester and one of Henry’s lovers; known for her jealousy and poetic descriptions that elevate her to a symbolic figure of divine femininity.