Ruth Macallister

Ruth Macallister can be considered the protagonist of the novel. She is the only person whose story is told in the first person. She is present both in the past Iris describes as well as in the current action when she tries to extract the Digbys from Moscow. She is the sister of both Iris and Henry, and she takes care of Iris after their father dies. She believes she owes her sister, because her sister saved her life by calling an ambulance when Ruth develops appendicitis and no one believes she is actually ill.

Ruth is originally quite close with Iris. The two live in Rome along with their brother. Ruth always believes she is tougher and more sophisticated than Iris is, however. She sees Iris as being simple and innocent, and she believes it is her duty to protect her. She sleeps with Sasha multiple...