T. Lawrence (Larry) Shannon

T. Lawrence (Larry) Shannon, once a promising young Episcopal priest, now finds himself as a tour guide embroiled in a profound personal crisis. This thirty-five-year-old American, strikingly handsome yet unraveling at the seams, arrives at Maxine’s Costa Verde Hotel at the nadir of his life. In a swift descent from being a rector in a well-to-do Virginia church, he is reduced to guiding Baptist schoolteachers across Mexico under a dubious travel bureau's employ. Shannon's turmoil is twofold: a battle with alcohol and an incessant torment from his "Spook," a phantasm born of his own anxieties.

Despite displaying irresponsibility and occasional cruelty, Shannon is immensely charming, a blend of sexual allure and an aura of "fallenness" that captivates those around him. His inner struggle is a relentless quest for God, a torment he paradoxically enjoys. His interactions with Hannah, her grandfather Nonno, and the gruff affection he shows Maxine reveal a depth of genuine compassion. Shannon's nature is steeped in contradictions: tender yet harsh, spiritually yearning yet sensually indulgent, and a desire for independence constantly thwarted by moral inertia.

Ultimately, it is through Hannah that Shannon begins to confront his inner demons. While initially clinging to his tour group out of job insecurity, he experiences a symbolic release by freeing an iguana. By the story's end, it is implied that Shannon will stay at the Costa Verde Hotel to assist Maxine, suggesting a path to redemption and stability.

Maxine Faulk

Maxine Faulk is the manager of the Costa Verde Hotel, a sensuous and forthright woman in her mid-forties who has recently become a widow. Her straightforward approach to life is coupled with a strong attraction to Larry Shannon, whose complexities both draw her in and confound her. The death of her husband has not diminished her sexual appetite, leading her to hire young Mexican "boys" to fulfill her desires. However, this openness to her sexuality slightly repulses Shannon.

Maxine, like Shannon, uses alcohol as a crutch and often encourages his indulgence. Despite her self-indulgence, she possesses a sharp common sense and emotional resilience. She views Hannah as a rival for Shannon's attention, though she finds Hannah's nature perplexing. Her jealousy intensifies when Shannon and Hannah develop a connection, yet she is persuaded by Shannon to let Hannah and her grandfather stay at the hotel. Maxine attempts to ensnare Shannon through alcohol and intimacy, which ultimately leads to him agreeing to stay and help her run the hotel, fulfilling her need for companionship and practical support.

Hannah Jelkes

Hannah Jelkes serves as a stark contrast to Maxine and stands as Larry Shannon’s spiritual counterpart. She is an itinerant sketch artist, ethereal, refined, and deeply compassionate, moving through life with her elderly grandfather, Jonathan "Nonno" Coffin. Forced by unclear circumstances to subsist on her art and Nonno's poetry recitations, Hannah exudes a grace that transcends her bleak reality. Her androgynous presence contrasts sharply with Maxine's earthiness, and her purity and femininity hold a profound appeal for Shannon.

During their stay at the Costa Verde Hotel, Hannah’s calming influence aids Shannon in navigating his crisis. Although her artwork fails to sell, her serene presence provides him solace. She has had minimal romantic experiences, having only two sexual encounters, and ultimately, she declines Shannon's plea for companionship, advising him to remain with Maxine. After Nonno's death, Hannah is left to face an uncertain future alone, yet her intrinsic understanding of life provides her with strength.

Jonathan “Nonno” Coffin

Jonathan “Nonno” Coffin is Hannah's ninety-seven-year-old grandfather and a once-celebrated poet. He is now renowned largely as the "world’s oldest living, practicing poet."...