Stardust

Neil Gaiman

77 pages 2-hour read

Neil Gaiman

Stardust

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1999

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Tristran is a clumsy, daydreaming teenager from the village of Wall who works at Monday and Brown's general store. Raised by Dunstan and his wife, he longs for adventure beyond his ordinary life. He makes an impulsive promise to retrieve a fallen star to win the affections of a local beauty, leading him out of his familiar town.

Key Relationships

Son of Dunstan Thorn

Adoptive Son of Daisy Hempstock

Brother of Louisa Thorn

Traveling Companion to Yvaine

Pupil of Charmed

Employee of Mister Monday

Traveling Companion to Primus

Yvaine is a celestial being who takes human form after crashing to the ground in Faerie. Her injury leaves her vulnerable and initially hostile toward those she encounters. Unaccustomed to the dangers of the earthly world, she relies on a quick temper and cautious instincts to survive.

Key Relationships

Traveling Companion to Tristran Thorn

Pursued by The Witch-Queen

Friend of The Unicorn

Primus is the oldest living son of the Master of Stormhold. He is a pragmatic and cautious man who favors steady progress over reckless action. He sets out to find his father's fallen topaz necklace to secure his claim to the throne.

Key Relationships

Son of Lord of Stormhold

Brother of Septimus

Brother of Tertius

Traveling Companion to Tristran Thorn

Septimus is a tall, ruthless prince of Stormhold who favors poison as his weapon of choice. He views his family's violent succession traditions as a matter of honor and duty. He actively plots to eliminate his remaining siblings to claim his inheritance.

Key Relationships

Son of Lord of Stormhold

Brother of Primus

Brother of Tertius

The Witch-Queen is the eldest of the Lilim, an ancient group of magic users. She uses her last reserves of power to restore her youth so she can hunt down the fallen star. She is cunning and utterly ruthless, focusing entirely on preserving her own existence.

Key Relationships

Hunter of Yvaine

Rival of Madame Semele

Captor of Brevis

Supporting Characters

Victoria is considered the most beautiful young woman in the village of Wall. She takes the admiration of others for granted and enjoys the attention she receives from local suitors. She inadvertently sets Tristran's journey in motion when she agrees to a whimsical promise.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Bridget Comfrey

Daughter of Tommy

Courted by Tristran Thorn

Courted by Mister Monday

Dunstan is a practical young man from Wall who occasionally longs for a more exciting life. He meets an enchanted woman at the Faerie market, leading to an encounter that changes his future. He later settles down to raise a family in his quiet hometown.

Key Relationships

Father of Tristran Thorn

Father of Louisa Thorn

Husband of Daisy Hempstock

Romantically Connected to Una

Una is a captive woman bound by a silver chain who works for a demanding witch. She longs for her freedom and awaits a prophecy that might release her. Her brief encounter with a young villager at the market has lasting consequences.

Key Relationships

Romantically Connected to Dunstan Thorn

Captive of Madame Semele

The dying ruler of Stormhold maintains his family's brutal traditions until his final moments. He throws his royal topaz necklace out a window, declaring that whichever of his sons recovers it will inherit his crown.

Key Relationships

Father of Primus

Father of Septimus

Father of Tertius

Madame Semele is a powerful and deceptive witch who travels through Faerie in a caravan. She frequently disguises herself as a helpless old woman to lower the defenses of others. She uses enchantments and curses to control those around her.

Key Relationships

Captor of Una

Rival of The Witch-Queen

Travel Provider for Tristran Thorn

Charmed is a small, hairy inhabitant of Faerie who values hospitality. He knows the traditions of his world intimately and offers guidance to travelers who show him kindness.

Key Relationships

Mentor to Tristran Thorn

Acquaintance of Dunstan Thorn

Tertius is one of the three surviving heirs to the Stormhold throne. He attempts to survive the family's deadly traditions but falls victim to his brother's cunning.

Key Relationships

Son of Lord of Stormhold

Brother of Primus

Brother of Septimus

Mister Monday is an older gentleman who owns the general goods shop in Wall. He is a respectable and established businessman who wishes to marry the town's most beautiful resident.

Key Relationships

Employer of Tristran Thorn

Daisy is a practical young woman who expects a predictable, traditional life. She lacks patience for romantic whimsy and values stability above all else.

Key Relationships

Wife of Dunstan Thorn

Adoptive Mother of Tristran Thorn

Bridget is a local woman in Wall who enjoys the dramatic attention of her suitors. She eventually settles down and raises a family in the village.

Key Relationships

Wife of Tommy

Tommy is a determined young man from Wall who fights hard to win the affections of the woman he loves.

Key Relationships

Husband of Bridget Comfrey

Louisa is Dunstan's daughter who enjoys tormenting her sibling. She represents the grounded, ordinary family life left behind when a quest begins.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Dunstan Thorn

Sister of Tristran Thorn

Captain Alberic commands a flying ship that hunts for lightning in the skies of Faerie. He offers safe harbor to weary travelers who cross his path.

Key Relationships

Rescuer of Tristran Thorn

Employer of Meggot

Meggot is a helpful crew member on an airborne vessel. He possesses medical knowledge and tends to the injuries of those rescued by his captain.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Captain Johannesburg Alberic

Healer to Tristran Thorn

Brevis is a young boy attempting to provide for his mother. He falls victim to a trickster on the road and is forced into magical servitude.

Key Relationships

Captive of The Witch-Queen

The Unicorn is a mythical, resilient creature native to Faerie. It forms a protective bond with those it recognizes as fellow children of the moon.

Key Relationships

Protector of Yvaine