The kid (Franklin Starlight)
Franklin, or Frank, is the sixteen-year-old protagonist who is usually referred to as “the kid.” He lives with the old man (Bunky), his lifelong guardian, on a rural farm in British Columbia, Canada. The kid…
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Eldon Starlight (father)
Eldon is Frank’s biological father. His friends in Parson’s Gap nickname him “Twinkles” (as in “Twinkle, twinkle, little star”). Throughout Frank’s life, Eldon has only showed up occasionally—usually drunk—and he seems like a stranger…
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The old man (Bunky)
The old man is the kid’s guardian. He is not Indian, but as the kid grows up, he does his best to teach Frank to love nature and to feel some connection to native…
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Angie Pratt
Angie is Frank’s mother who died when he was born. She is a beautiful, tall, graceful woman whom Eldon and Bunky both fall in love with at Charlie’s bar after they see her dancing…
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Becka Charlie
Becka Charlie lives in the old trapper’s cabin where Frank and Eldon take shelter on the second night of their journey. She is a sturdy woman with Native facial features, though she’s fair-skinned and blue-eyed…
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Jimmy Weaseltail
Jimmy is Eldon Starlight’s childhood best friend. He and Eldon took jobs together and worked seamlessly side-by-side, driving one another to accomplish more. Jimmy is fond of Eldon’s mother and becomes like part of…
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Eldon’s mother
After Eldon’s father died in the Second World War, Eldon’s mother was devastated. Eldon began working hard to support her, and she would read classic literature to him and his best friend, Jimmy Weaseltail…
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Jenks
Jenks is Eldon’s and Jimmy’s foreman when they work as loggers in British Columbia. Partway through their employment, Jenks becomes intrigued by Eldon’s mother and starts dating her. After he starts living in…
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Minor Characters
Deirdre
Dierdre is a woman whom Eldon Starlight is sleeping with when the kid comes to visit, shortly before Eldon’s death.
Jenna
Jenna is Eldon’s landlady around the time Frank turns 10. She is warmly maternal toward Frank. While realistic about Eldon’s weaknesses, she also seems to see Eldon’s potential as a father, sending them off with a birthday picnic and the loan of her truck.
Everett Eames
Everett is a desperate alcoholic who’s bullied by the other men at Charlie’s bar. Bunky steps in to defend him, gaining Angie’s admiration.
Dingo
Dingo is a burly lumberjack who dances with Angie at Charlie’s bar. He bullies Everett Eames, and Bunky stands up to him.
