Who Are The Main Characters In 'Figgs & Phantoms'?

The main characters in 'Figgs & Phantoms' are a quirky bunch that stick with you long after you finish the book. At the center is Mona Lisa Newton, a sharp-witted teenager who sees right through her family's eccentricities. Her uncle, Truman Capote Figg, is a flamboyant character who claims to be a distant relative of the famous writer, adding layers of drama to every scene. Then there's Sister Figg Newton, Mona's mother, whose obsession with cleanliness contrasts hilariously with the chaos around her. The real heart-stealer is Fido, their loyal but oddly philosophical dog who observes the family madness with quiet wisdom. These characters create a perfect storm of humor and heart that makes the story unforgettable.

Ellen Raskin's 'Figgs & Phantoms' introduces us to the Figg family, a group so eccentric they could give the Addams Family a run for their money. Mona Lisa Newton, our teenage protagonist, serves as the straight man to her relatives' antics, her dry commentary cutting through their absurdity like a knife. Her uncle, Truman Capote Figg, is a walking identity crisis—part showman, part con artist, and entirely convinced of his own literary pedigree. Mona's mother, Sister Figg Newton, cleans compulsively as if scrubbing away the family's strangeness, while her father, Homer, remains baffled by everyone.

Then there's the extended Figg clan, each more bizarre than the last. Uncle Florence is a retired contortionist who still folds himself into furniture, and Cousin Gideon communicates entirely through cryptic limericks. Even minor characters like the perpetually confused town librarian and Mona's only friend, a boy who collects bottle caps, add depth to this world. What makes them compelling isn't just their quirks—it's how their relationships reveal universal truths about family bonds and acceptance. Raskin crafts each character with such specificity that they feel like people you might actually meet, if you wandered into the right small town.

Let me tell you about the Figgs—they're the kind of family you'd cross the street to avoid, but secretly wish you could join. Mona Lisa Newton is the glue holding this circus together, a teen with the patience of a saint and the wit of a stand-up comedian. Her uncle Truman is a masterpiece of self-delusion, strutting around in capes and declaring himself a literary genius. Mona's mom scrubs invisible stains while her dad stares at the chaos like it's a foreign film without subtitles.

Then there are the side characters that steal every scene they're in. Fido the dog might be the most level-headed member of the household, offering silent commentary with his soulful eyes. The Figg family reunions must be legendary, with contortionists folding into pretzels and relatives spouting poetry instead of small talk. What makes them work is how Raskin balances their absurdity with genuine warmth—you laugh at their antics, but you never doubt their love for each other. It's this mix of humor and heart that elevates them beyond caricatures into characters you genuinely root for.