The Hating Game characters

Appears from the start

The executive assistant to co-chief executive Helene Pascal at the merged Bexley and Gamin publishing company. Lucy is small, colorful, hardworking, and deeply loyal to the people and books associated with the former Gamin side. Her workdays are organized around competitive games with the colleague seated opposite her.

Also known as Josh

Appears from the start

Executive assistant to co-chief executive Richard Bexley and Lucy's office rival. Joshua is physically imposing, immaculately dressed, reserved, and demanding about schedules and procedure. He and Lucy monitor each other constantly, turning every glance and exchange into a contest.

Appears from the start

The co-chief executive from Gamin Publishing and Lucy's boss. Helene values creativity and books and maintains a warmer corporate style than her counterpart after the companies' difficult merger.

Appears from the start

The co-chief executive from Bexley Books and Joshua's boss. Richard favors hierarchy, efficiency, and conventional corporate authority, embodying the side of the merged company that Lucy distrusts.

First appears in chapter 8

A friendly designer Lucy meets through work. Danny is easygoing and openly interested in her, offering the possibility of a straightforward date outside the intense rivalry that dominates her office life.

First appears in chapter 18

Joshua's older brother, a doctor and the celebrated son within the Templeman family. Patrick's approaching wedding obliges Joshua to return to a family setting shaped by old rivalry and comparison.

First appears in chapter 20

Patrick's fiancée and a figure from Joshua's romantic past. Her place in the Templeman family makes the wedding emotionally difficult for Joshua and helps Lucy understand the history behind some of his reserve.

First appears in chapter 20

Joshua and Patrick's father, a physician who measures his sons against demanding ideas of achievement. His open preference for Patrick has contributed to Joshua's guardedness and conviction that he will be judged as inadequate.

First appears in chapter 20

Joshua and Patrick's mother. She receives Lucy warmly during the wedding visit and sees more clearly than the rest of the family how important Lucy has become to Joshua.