Everything I Never Told You Character Analysis

Lydia Lee

Lydia is the middle daughter of James and Marilyn. At the beginning of the book, she has just died at the age of 16; after a few days, her body is discovered at the… read analysis of Lydia Lee

Marilyn Lee

Marilyn is the daughter of Doris Walker and was born and raised in Virginia. Growing up, Marilyn is disdainful of her mother’s perfect housewife performance and her vocation as a home economics teacher. She dreams… read analysis of Marilyn Lee

James Lee

James is the son of Chinese immigrants. Before their deaths, both of his parents worked in the cafeteria of Lloyd Academy, a prestigious prep school which James attended for free after passing the entrance exam… read analysis of James Lee

Nath Lee

Nath (whose full name is Nathan) is the eldest son of James and Marilyn. Academically gifted, he enjoys studying and dreams of a career that involves outer space. Shortly before Lydia’s death, he is… read analysis of Nath Lee

Hannah Lee

Hannah is James and Marilyn’s youngest daughter. She is extremely quiet, so much so that sometimes her family forgets that she exists. She has a habit of stealing “treasures” that belong to members of her… read analysis of Hannah Lee

Doris Walker

Doris Walker is Marilyn’s mother. Doris’ unnamed husband leaves her when Marilyn is three, yet she continues to perform the role of a perfect housewife, wearing makeup at all times and cooking elaborate meals and… read analysis of Doris Walker

Jack Wolff

Jack Wolff is a boy who lives on the same street as the Lee family. He has a reputation for taking the virginity of teenage girls, and Nath worries about the fact that he and… read analysis of Jack Wolff

Officer Fiske

Officer Fiske is the police officer charged with investigating Lydia’s death. He is fair and patient with the Lee family, though he ultimately ignores the beliefs of both Marilyn and Nath and rules Lydia’s death… read analysis of Officer Fiske

Minor Characters

Janet Wolff

Dr. Janet Wolff is Jack’s mother. A single parent and a doctor, she is the subject of gossip within the neighborhood. Behind Janet’s back, Mrs. Allen accuses her of neglecting Jack in favor of her career.

Louisa Chen

Louisa Chen is a graduate student and one of James’ teaching assistants. Like James, she is also Chinese-American. She and James have an affair that begins after Lydia’s death.

Vivian Allen

Vivian Allen lives on the same street as the Lees and Wolffs. When Marilyn is gone, James leaves the children under her supervision. While Mrs. Allen is judgmental of both Marilyn and Janet’s parenting, when she looks after the Lee children she falls asleep in front of the television.

Karen Adler

Lydia claims that Karen Adler is her best friend and talks about her regularly at home. After Lydia’s disappearance, the Lee family discovers that Lydia and Karen barely knew each other.

Tom Lawson

Tom Lawson is a professor of chemistry at Middlewood College. Marilyn asks him to consider hiring her as a research assistant, but when she doesn’t call, he gives the role to an undergraduate.

Stanley Hewitt

Stan, whom James describes as “a florid ham hock of a man,” has an unspecified role in the history department at Middlewood College. He interrupts a conversation between James and Louisa.