Companion

Character Role Analysis

Sally, Richard Brown, Leonard Woolf

Each of the novel's three protagonists has a long-term partner, and Sally is Clarissa Vaughan's. Their union isn't recognized by American law—the novel is set in the 1990s, remember—but that doesn't stop Clarissa from thinking of herself as Sally's wife.

Although Clarissa Vaughan and Richard Brown aren't romantically involved, the two characters are companions. They are each other's oldest and best friends, and Richard is just as much a part of Clarissa's life as is Clarissa's partner, Sally.

Leonard Woolf is Virginia Woolf's husband. (The surname gives it away, we know.) Prone to scowls and fits of grumpiness, he is also a kind and caring partner, and has seen Virginia through some truly terrible times.

Finally, sweet, simple, ordinary Dan Brown—no, not that Dan Brown—is Laura Brown's earnest young husband. With a new home, a good job, a beautiful wife, a young son, and another baby on the way, Dan's world seems picture-perfect. Unfortunately, he has no idea how Laura feels about the life they share.