Robert Merivel

The main character and storyteller is Robert Merivel. He ends up with half a medical education and earns a living as a surgeon and physician, although his knowledge and abilities are not impressive. He describes himself as balding, with his remaining hair sandy brown and wiry "as hog's bristles." He needs a periwig, and his ears are uneven size. His forehead is splattered with freckles, and his nose is too flat. He loves to feel woodwork and loves astronomy. His stomach is large and freckled, and at night it looks like a group of moths have landed there. His eyes are blue and limpid. He's not tall but wears high-heeled shoes, popular at the time. His clothes are often unkempt, and he has a baby face described by his mother as angelic. He describes his nature as erratic, immoderate, greedy, boastful and sad. He also has an...