Cast of Characters

I read recently that some authors ‘cast’ their characters. I have never thought to call it that, but when I’m writing I frequently find paintings that personify, on some level, the way I envision my characters. I didn’t realise that other authors do something similar, and I don’t know if they share that with their readers.

If you have your own ideas of what Nell/Ned, John, Matthew, etc., look like, then don’t let my images interfere with them. One of the reasons I tend to avoid film adaptations of books I’ve read is because I know what the characters look like in my head, and I’m not ready to entertain someone else’s concept of them. But if you’re interested, this is how I see my characters. The hairstyles and clothing may not be entirely appropriate to the 1790s–1800s; for me it’s more about the feeling I get from the painting than the accuracy of the period.

I’ve put the name of the subject (if known) and the portrait artist to the right of the characters’ names.

All of these portraits are in the public domain, except for, possibly, the one of Nelson. Anyway, the photograph is copyright by Christie’s.