Thomas Birkin

Birkin is the narrator of A Month in the Country. He has been hired to uncover the painting in the Oxgodby church's arch. Tormented by memories of the War and his troubled marriage, Birkin hopes to find peace and a new start in Oxgodby. He stays in the church's bell tower and spends his days working on the painting and talking with Moon, Kathy, and Alice.

We know little about what Birkin looks. We know that he is in his twenties and that he has a face twitch on his left side. He appears to have been afflicted with this sometime during, and because of, the War. Birkin is a dedicated worker and passionate about the painting he is uncovering. He trained with another man to learn how to do this and the job at the church is his first solo job. Spending much of his time...