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Arthur Less
Arthur Less is the novel’s protagonist. On learning that his ex-boyfriend Freddy is to be married, he hastily arranges a round-the-world trip to ensure he is not at home for either Freddy’s wedding or his own 50th birthday. At the beginning of the story, Less is despondent. He feels like a failure in many respects—romantically, professionally, and individualistically. Throughout the narrative, he comes to terms with his own identity and reevaluates his sense of self-worth.
Less’s history is complicated. After coming to terms with his sexuality as a teen, he spent many years in a relationship with an older man. Robert was respected as a poet in a way Less is never able to achieve; indeed, much of Less’s renown comes from this relationship and his proximity to the Russian River School. When his third novel is poorly received and his fourth novel is rejected by the publisher, Less must reevaluate his identity as a writer. With so much of his life spent in the shadow of a writer more acclaimed than he will ever become, Less questions his own professional capability and how this intersects with his romantic life.
In his relationship with Robert, Less was the younger of the two men. In his other definitive relationship with Freddy, he was the older of the two and the more famous writer. When this relationship ends, Less does not know what to do with himself. He finds a hole at the center of his existence and does not know how to fill it or recapture the happiness he once had.
Thus, the novel chronicles Less’s quest to recapture his sense of self-worth and self-identity. He travels from country to country, learning more about the fortuitous life he has led. His perspective is changed, particularly by Carlos, who informs Less that he actually has led a charmed existence free of tragedy. Ultimately, Less successfully overcomes his existential crisis. He rewrites his novel, casting his protagonist as a fool rather than a tragic hero (just as he learns to recast himself); he comes to terms with Robert’s diminishing health and his own luck; and he returns home to find Freddy waiting for him, ready to rekindle their relationship.
Freddy Pelu
Freddy plays just as important a role in the story as Arthur Less, as is slowly revealed throughout the novel. At the beginning of the text, the narrator is careful to withhold his name. He teases dribs and drabs of information until the final chapter, in which Freddy reveals his identity to the audience. This alters the dynamic of the novel. Rather than telling Less’s story from an omniscient, third-person perspective, Freddy’s role is to provide an emotional context for Less’s journey. Freddy’s narration occasionally steps out of the narrative to relate an anecdote or offer judgment or sympathy to the protagonist. In doing so, the narration ensures that Less’s actions are presented in a specific manner. This creates a parallel with Less’s in-progress novel; just as Less retools his protagonist into a fool rather than a hero, Freddy presents Less as an adorable fool rather than a tragic hero. Whether Less’s luggage is lost, stray dogs eat his suits, or Less steps on a needle, Freddy’s narration adds a loving, emotional context to these private tragedies.
But Freddy is both a narrator and a character. He includes himself within the story as the love interest whose marriage has motivated Less to escape the country. This Freddy is different from Freddy the narrator. Freddy the character is younger, less considered, and unsure of what he wants. In Less’s memories, Freddy is the youthful, eager lover who is new to many experiences and guided by the older, wiser Less. It is Freddy’s willful abandon that ends the relationship with Less and leads Freddy to quickly find a new partner to marry. It is this same character who wakes up on his honeymoon and weeps for the partner that he left behind. The character Freddy—like Less—slowly comes to terms with what he wants, while Freddy the narrator recalls events with a slightly detached, ironic (yet emotionally resonant) tone that emphasizes the youthful impetuousness of Freddy the character. This split between the two Freddys becomes a subplot; the slow reveal of the narrator’s identity mirrors Less’s quest for self-actualization. Freddy reveals his true identity to the audience just after his realization that he has married the wrong man; this is when Freddy comes to terms with what he wants and who he actually is; this is when the narrator finally sees something of himself in the young man who broke up with Arthur Less.
Robert Brownburn
If Freddy is the youthful counterpoint to Less’s existential crisis, then Robert is the elder equivalent. Robert provides an older, wiser perspective that steers Less toward happiness and self-realization. Throughout much of the novel, however, Robert remains a distant figure, accessed only through memories, messages, and relayed information.
One of Robert’s most important characteristics is his status. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, thus representing—in Less’s mind—the height of literary achievement. Less cannot help but measure his own achievements against Robert’s, especially after his own literary career falters after a well-received first novel. While Less values awards and achievements, Robert does not care for them. He believes that prizes are little more than trinkets, and though he celebrates his Pulitzer Prize, it is writing itself that provides satisfaction, not its critical reception. Less understands this idea but cannot internalize it. He is aware of Robert’s perspective on literary success but judges himself by different criteria. In this manner, Robert highlights the cognitive dissonance that leads to much of Less’s anxiety.
This is also true with regards to aging. Less fears turning 50, worried that no one will ever want to be with him romantically and that people will no longer view him in the same way. But he is also aware that Robert is much older and that this has never been an issue for Robert. Indeed, Robert’s health worsens throughout the novel to the point where he has a minor stroke. Less—whose health is commendable—views himself as old and as helpless as Robert, even though Robert is almost two decades older. Again, Less sympathizes with Robert’s condition while internalizing none of the lessons that Robert’s existence should impart.
This cognitive dissonance is finally resolved at the novel’s end. When Robert suffers a stroke, Less calls him and—after finally learning to diagnose his own neuroses—he tells Robert all his fears. Robert dismisses them out of hand. His older, wiser perspective grants the gift of self-actualization to Less, who respects Robert’s opinion. After being ordered not to worry about these matters, Less finally begins to heal.
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