Nell

Nell is a 26-year-old single female who has never had a romantic getaway with a boyfriend before. She has slightly red hair and a smattering of freckles. Her eyes crinkle as if she “is predisposed to seeing jokes where other people might not” (54), and, even though she is not beautiful in the traditional sense, she has a face that “ke[eps people] looking” (74). Nell’s mother, Lillian, belittles Nell and refers to her as “the sensible one,” “the quiet one,” and “the one who would carefully research any plan and who could be trusted to water your plants, mind your kids and not run off with anyone’s husband” (8). Somewhat insecure, Nell questions why Peter is with her and does not recognize his masochism when he insults and neglects her. At the onset of the novel when Nell decides to go to Paris instead of the girls’ weekend...