Alec

Alec is one of the five main characters in the novel. He is introduced as a bright boy, and through adulthood maintains a clever attitude. Spufford focuses more on Alec's relationship with his family than on his career as the story develops. He begins his career in the print industry as a Linotype operator. In this capacity, Alec appears to only superficially apply himself, "just on the cusp of concentration" (39). By 1964, Alec is married to Sandra and has a son, Gary.

Alec eventually has a career at the Times, where he is in the print department. Bureaucratic changes threaten his job, and he ultimately loses it. Eventually, Alec finds a successful career as a teacher after working for a time at Gary's painting company. Alec is depicted as being a loving grandfather to his granddaughter, Vicky.

Although he and his first wife, Sandra, ultimately divorce, Alec maintains a...