Neverwhere

Richard Mayhew is the main character of Neverwhere. Written in third person, the novel generally filters the story through his point of view.

Richard is a mild-mannered man thrust into the dangerous, confusing underworld of London Below when he decides to save Door after she stumbles, injured, into his life. As he helplessly follows her on her journey, hoping it will end with his return to the Upside, Richard becomes the archetypal fish out of water.

Alongside Door’s quest, Richard embarks on a personal journey to find his courage. There are many times he wants to give up as things get increasingly dangerous, but he never does―not even when the Ordeal of the Key tries to convince him to end his life. One of the personality traits that makes this transformation possible is his propensity for kindness, sensitivity, and selflessness. It was kindness that caused him to help Door in the first place, and though he acted as if his only motivation for tagging along on her was a chance to get back to London Above, it’s clear he is dedicated to keeping her safe. His sensitivity to Anaesthesia’s disappearance helps him survive the ordeal because the necklace bead that he kept reminds him of her

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