Stonemouth

Main Characters and Their Development

• Stewart Gilmour—the main character, returning to his native Stonemouth after five years of exile, a man whose inner struggle between past and present, guilt and hope, is revealed through memories and encounters with the ghosts of youth. His character gains depth in confrontations with former friends and enemies, as well as in attempts to come to terms with loss and his own mistakes.
• Ellie Murston—Stewart's former lover, embodying both strength and vulnerability, whose life, like a shifting shoreline, changes under the pressure of family traditions and personal aspirations. Her journey is one from submission to independence, from the shadow of the past to the light of her own choices.
• Callum Murston—Ellie's older brother, heir to a criminal dynasty, whose severity and authority are mixed with inner uncertainty. His image is a complex blend of loyalty to family and relentless cruelty, making him both formidable and tragic.
• Don Murston—the family patriarch, a figure whose shadow lies over the entire town. His influence is felt in every action of the characters, and his inner conflict between love for his children and the need to maintain power gives him a tragic grandeur.
• Fiona—Stewart's childhood friend, embodying sincerity, support, and quiet resilience. Her path is a search for her own place in a world where past and present are woven into the intricate pattern of human relationships.