Benjamin “Ben” Daniels

Benjamin “Ben” Daniels is Jess’s half-brother. He is portrayed as being charismatic and fortunate. He was adopted by a rich family after his mother died by suicide. Ben has managed to do well for himself. He is one of the few characters in the novel who does not narrate his own portions of the story. His story is told from the point of view of a third-person narrator.

Ben is portrayed through the other characters as being a manipulative person who is willing to mislead and betray people to benefit himself. In this case, Ben believes that making public the story of La Petite Mort will make his name in the field of investigative journalism.

Ben betrays Nick when he decides to write the story because he promised Nick he would never tell anyone the family’s secret. Ben uses Nick’s trust and affection...