Who Are The Main Characters In The Offing?

The Offing' by Benjamin Myers is a quiet yet deeply moving novel, and its heart lies in the unexpected friendship between two unforgettable characters. First, there's Robert Appleyard, a sixteen-year-old miner's son from a northern English village who sets out on a post-war summer journey to escape his grim future underground. He's naive but curious, with a simmering restlessness that feels so real—I remember being that age, itching for adventure but not quite knowing how to grasp it. Then there's Dulcie Piper, the eccentric, free-spirited older woman he meets in a secluded coastal cottage. She's a force of nature—bohemian, sharp-tongued, and hiding layers of sorrow beneath her vibrant exterior. Their dynamic is the soul of the book; Dulcie becomes a mentor of sorts, introducing Robert to poetry, fine food, and the idea that life can be more than what's handed to you.

What I love most is how Myers lets their bond unfold slowly, like peeling an onion. Dulcie's past as a writer and her connection to a tragic German poet add this haunting depth to her character, while Robert's quiet transformation from a boy into someone who dares to dream is beautifully understated. The supporting cast—like the gruff but kind butcher or the shadowy figure of Romy Landau, the poet Dulcie once loved—add texture without stealing focus. It's one of those stories where the characters linger in your mind long after the last page, like ghosts of a summer you wish you’d lived yourself.

Dulcie Piper is one of those characters who instantly sticks with you—like a favorite aunt who’s equal parts intimidating and inspiring. She’s lived a life most people only dream of, but there’s a sadness she keeps tucked away. Robert, on the other hand, is all wide-eyed wonder, and their contrast is what makes 'The Offing' so compelling. He’s there to work odd jobs, but what he really gains is a crash course in living boldly. The way Dulcie pushes him to question everything—his class, his future, even his taste in food—is both hilarious and heartwarming. And Romy, though he’s more of a spectral presence, looms large in Dulcie’s stories, making you wish you could’ve met him too.

If you're looking for a novel where the characters feel like people you’ve actually met, 'The Offing' delivers. Robert Appleyard is such a refreshing protagonist—not your typical hero, just a working-class kid with dirt under his nails and a head full of questions. His voice is so genuine; you can almost hear his Yorkshire accent. And Dulcie? She’s the kind of character who steals every scene—unapologetically herself, whether she’s chain-smoking, quoting Shakespeare, or serving Robert a meal that blows his rustic mind. Their relationship isn’t sentimentalized; it’s messy, sometimes awkward, but always real.

The backdrop of post-WWII England adds another layer to their interactions. Dulcie’s grief for Romy, her lost love, isn’t spelled out in melodramatic monologues—it’s in the way she avoids certain topics, or how her eyes darken at the mention of Germany. Robert doesn’t psychoanalyze her; he just listens, and that’s what makes their bond special. Even minor characters, like the nosy villagers or the absent parents, feel fully realized. Myers has a knack for making every character, no matter how small, carry weight in the story.