Philippe Audebert

Philippe Audebert (fee-LEEP oh-deh-BEHR), a sixteen-year-old boy, spends his summers along the Brittany coast with his family and their friends, the Ferrets. He is characterized by his slender physique, where firm flesh molds over subtle muscles, embodying youthful vigor. During this pivotal summer, Philippe navigates the complexities of emerging sexuality and burgeoning desire for Vinca, his close childhood friend. Despite his affection for Vinca, he is seduced by Madame Camille Dalleray, an older woman who epitomizes experience and allure. This affair introduces him to the pleasures of the flesh, creating internal turmoil as he compares Vinca's innocence to Madame Dalleray's worldliness. These contrasts foster his coming-of-age journey, as he grapples with desire, romance, and the harsh realities of adult dilemmas.

Philippe is in a transitional phase, straddling the brink of boyhood and manhood. He often dramatizes his internal struggles, oscillating between longing for the freedoms of adulthood and clinging to the securities of his childhood. This inner conflict is marked by his retreat into fantastical scenarios where he enacts the part of a romantic, long-suffering hero. His development is a whirlwind of comedy and drama, reflecting his uncertainty about his future role as a husband, and the intense emotions evoked by his interactions with both Vinca and Madame Dalleray.

Vinca Ferret

Vinca Ferret (feh-RAY), at fifteen, spends her summers in Brittany with her family, sharing a deep-seated friendship with Philippe Audebert. She is striking with periwinkle-blue eyes described as the "colour of April showers," tanned legs reminiscent of "terra-cotta," a "milk-white" neck, and hair that fans out like "stiff corn-stalks." Her demeanor is a blend of tomboyish defiance and coquettish charm, often reflected in her behavior that swings from rebellious outbursts to playful seduction. Vinca has always harbored admiration for Philippe, but this particular summer awakens a new dimension of desire towards him.

Her world is closely intertwined with nature, and she oscillates gracefully between roles—from mending clothes and serving food, showcasing maternal instincts, to climbing rocks and swimming like a carefree boy. Yet, as she traverses the path from innocence to experience, she is confronted with the complexities of budding sexual awareness and Philippe's betrayal with Madame Dalleray. This betrayal leaves her bewildered, igniting feelings of jealousy and competition. Vinca must navigate her emotions to decide whether to forgive Philippe and mend their fractured relationship.

Madame Camille Dalleray

Madame Camille Dalleray (kah-MEEL dahl-REE), known as the Lady-in-White, is a mythic figure who spends her summers in Brittany. Draped in white dresses, adorned with white diamonds, and possessing alabaster skin, she embodies a world far removed from natural innocence. Her allure lies in her seductive prowess, an art she practices with precision, particularly drawn to young men with statuesque physiques like Philippe. Her presence is a whirlwind of sexual desire and experience, starkly contrasting with Vinca's innocence.

Madame Dalleray operates in a domain of luxury and opulence, shunning nature's simplicity for the richness of velvets, silks, and satins. Her existence is devoid of natural connections, and she surrounds herself with colors of decadence—reds, golds, and blacks. At thirty, she is well-versed in the art of seduction, representing both the allure of pleasure and the sting of shame for Philippe. Her interaction with him brings to the fore issues of jealousy and rivalry for Vinca, positioning Madame Dalleray as the antithesis to the younger girl's budding sexuality.