Stephen Wraysford

Stephen Wraysford is the protagonist of Birdsong. In France 1910, Stephen is sent to the Azaires in Amiens to learn about the textile factory, but his attraction to Isabelle, Mr. Azaire's wife, leads to them having an affair. Isabelle runs away with Stephen, and they live happily in a small house in St.-Remy-de-Provence. When Isabelle realizes she is pregnant, she fears for her child's future and leaves Stephen to return to her family's home, but she never tells Stephen about the child she carries. In France 1916, Stephen is a lieutenant in France during World War I. He feels disdain for his men and even for his best friend, Captain Michael Weir. Stephen refuses all offers of leave, even after he is wounded and nearly dies. A miner in the tunnels on the Front, Jack Firebrace, learns his son has died from a fever and mourns for his...