The Golden Age Characters

Described nebulously as Julia’s “companion,” Hedwiga is either Julia’s friend or partner, with whom she’s shared several decades of her life. It’s Hedwiga’s resourcefulness and ability to scavenge that puts food on the table for Frank during his months in hiding.

A chubby and smiling baby, one of the youngest patients at the Golden Age. Like Ida and Meyer, his parents are immigrants; the two families get along well, even though the urbane and cultured Golds are often scornful of less educated and sophisticated immigrants.

One of the patients at the Golden Age. Because her family misses her and is eager to take her home, she leaves the hospital without all the necessary therapy—meaning it’s unlikely she’ll ever fully regain the ability to walk.

One of the patients at the Golden Age. Elsa resents her for being ostentatiously good and helpful. However, Susan’s strained behavior may be the result of her desire to please her parents, frivolous social climbers who are obviously embarrassed by their daughter’s disease.

A baby, one of the younger patients at the Golden Age.

One of the patients at the Golden Age.

One of the youngest patients at the Golden Age.

A young patient at the Golden Age, who in a fit of homesickness unsuccessfully tries to run away.

One of the nurses at the Golden Age. Hadley is kind but generally uptight, with an overzealous respect for authority. It’s she who catches Frank and Elsa in bed and alerts the governors of the hospital, causing their expulsion.

A nurse at the Golden Age, originally from New Zealand.

The cook at the Golden Age.

Mr. Poole is the father of Malcolm Poole.

Elsa’s baby sister, the youngest Briggs child.

Elsa’s son, the editor of an Australian literary journal who tracks down and interviews Frank as an old man.

A gruff but gentle man, Norm is the gardener at the Golden Age.

Sister Palmer is the nurse who cares for Sullivan and Frank when they’re in the hospital of Perth. Sullivan sees her as a model of duty and altruism but wonders what her thoughts are like when she’s alone.

Meyer’s brother, and one of his few family members to survive the war.

Meyer’s younger sister. After surviving the war in hiding with their father, Suszi is raped to death by Russian soldiers invading Hungary. Even in tranquil or happy moments, Meyer often thinks of the meaningless cruelty of her death.

One of Meyer’s brothers, who does not survive the war.

Sister Penny’s husband, who dies in the first days of World War II.

Janos Gold’s Christian girlfriend, who gets fake papers for Ida during the war.

Ida’s Christian alias under her fake papers.

A night policeman who visits the Golden Age and becomes Sister Penny’s lover.

An American sailor, one of Sister Penny’s lovers during the war.

An older man, one of Sister Penny’s lovers.

The brisk schoolteacher at the Golden Age.

Elizabeth Ann’s best friend, with whose family she boards during college.

Gillian Budd’s older brother, eventually Elizabeth Ann’s fiancé.

The beloved physical therapist at the Golden Age, who drowns in a sudden boating accident.

The Briggs’ neighbor, who gives Margaret a lift to the Golden Age.

The Briggs’ neighbor and mother of Raymond. When Elsa first collapses with polio it’s she who recognizes the signs and calls the ambulance.

Ann Lee’s father.

Susan Bennett’s glamorous but flaky parents.

The physical therapist who replaces Lidja at the Golden Age.

Queen Elizabeth II of England, who visits Perth briefly during the summer.

One of Sister Penny’s longstanding lovers.

The owner of a bookstore Frank frequents.

A young girl Frank looks after for several months as an adult, while her mother is hospitalized.