Willie Bacchuber

Willie Bachhuber is one of the central characters of the novel, as well as one of its narrators. At the beginning of the novel, Bacchuber has recently left his wife after she gave birth to a child of apparently Aboriginal descent, leading Bachhuber to believe that she committed an infidelity. Bachhuber moves to the small town of Bachhus Marsh, and he makes a living as a teacher and a quiz show contestant. He is eventually fired from the teaching position after an altercation with a student. Bacchuber begins a romantic relationship with a fellow quiz show contestant, but he begins to form romantic feelings for his married neighbor, Irene.

When Irene asks Bachhuber to be her navigator during a long-distance car race known as the Redex Trial. Bachhuber agrees. However, after an encounter with some Aboriginal men during the race, Bachhuber learns that he is actually of...