For Whom the Belle Tolls

Lily is the novel’s protagonist. Born to Evangelical parents, she is the eldest sister to two brothers, Tommy and Ryan. Throughout her mortal life, Lily worked in customer service after finishing her arts degree. Lily and her family were heavily involved in their Evangelical community, and Lily was subjected to harsh and sexist teachings on “purity” and modesty. As she grew older, Lily began to clash with her church’s teachings, which drew the ire of religious leaders. When she attended a friend’s party at the age of 14, she was sexually assaulted by the friend’s older boyfriend. When she sought advice and comfort from her youth leader, she was blamed instead. From then on, she actively cut off all contact with the religious community. Through therapy, she found healing for her trauma.

At the age of 34, Lily is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Due to her inability to afford treatment, she opts to spend her remaining time with her family. When she dies, she arrives at the Celestial Lobby, where she chooses to have her life judged by Universal Judgment, rather than the Christian system, and is granted a small Paradise of her own. She eventually establishes the Hellp Desk to deal with complaining mortal souls who cause trouble as they are ushered to Hell once they pass Judgment.