Nutshell characters

Also known as the unborn narrator

Appears from the start

Trudy's nearly full-term unborn son and the novel's narrator. Confined to the womb but able to hear voices, music, broadcasts, and conversation, he has developed an elaborate understanding of the world he has not yet entered. He listens as his mother and uncle discuss a plan to kill his father.

Appears from the start

The narrator's pregnant mother, separated from her husband John and living in his decaying London family home. She is conducting an affair with John's brother Claude and joins Claude in discussing how John's death could free them to control the valuable property.

Appears from the start

John's brother and Trudy's lover. A conventional property developer whom the unborn narrator regards with distrust, he is focused on the financial value of John's house. He and Trudy are already considering murder when the narrator introduces him.

Also known as John Cairncross

Appears from the start

The narrator's father, a poet and the proprietor of a struggling small press. Separated from Trudy, he still owns the London house where she lives with Claude and hopes to recover both his home and some form of family life. His trusting manner leaves him exposed to the pair's plans.

First appears in chapter 7

A poet associated with John and his publishing work. Her presence makes Trudy and Claude suspect that John may be building a new emotional life, while her loyalty to him gives the unborn narrator hope that someone outside the house may notice the danger.

First appears in chapter 14

The police officer who questions Trudy and Claude after John's death. Calm attention to their account and to the physical evidence signals that the death is not being accepted at face value.