The End of the Affair characters

Appears from the start

A novelist living in London who narrates the story. During the war he had an affair with Sarah Miles, and the abrupt, unexplained end of their relationship has left him jealous and resentful. A chance meeting with her husband revives his need to discover what happened.

Appears from the start

A senior civil servant and Bendrix's acquaintance. He is mild, conventional, and deeply attached to his wife Sarah, though he worries that she may now be seeing someone else.

Appears from the start

Henry's wife and Bendrix's former lover. Warm and attentive to other people's unhappiness, she ended the affair suddenly during the Blitz and has refused to explain the decision to Bendrix.

First appears in chapter 4

The proprietor of a private detective agency whom Bendrix approaches to have Sarah followed. He treats suspicion as ordinary professional business and assigns the work to Parkis.

First appears in chapter 5

A private detective employed to follow Sarah. He is conscientious but conspicuous, and he sometimes brings his young son along while working. His formal reports turn Bendrix's private jealousy into an investigation.

First appears in chapter 7

Parkis's young son, who occasionally accompanies his father on surveillance and helps make the detective appear less suspicious in public.

First appears in chapter 13

A rationalist speaker whom Sarah visits. He argues publicly against religious belief and bears a conspicuous mark on his face.

First appears in chapter 13

Richard Smythe's sister and protective housemate. She receives Sarah at their home and is wary of the emotional strain surrounding her brother's work.

First appears in chapter 17

A Catholic priest whom Sarah consults as she struggles with a promise and a faith she does not fully understand. His replies offer doctrine rather than an easy escape from her conflict.

First appears in chapter 23

Sarah's mother, from whom Sarah has long been somewhat distant. She possesses an important piece of information about Sarah's childhood religious history.

First appears in chapter 15

A woman with whom Bendrix once arranged a meeting during his affair with Sarah. Her presence becomes material because Sarah misreads what she sees and briefly doubts him.