Philip Hutton

Philip Hutton is the main character of this story, and it is also through Philip that this story is told. An older Philip is the narrator of this story. Born to a Chinese mother and a British father, Philip grew up without a connection to any particular cultural group. His mother died when he was a very young child, which left him disconnected from his Chinese culture. In attempting to connect to his British heritage, Philip found himself lacking, as he looked so different from everyone around him. This left young Philip in a place of isolation. It is in this isolation that the primary portion of this novel starts from.

The audience is also introduced to Philip as in old man, given the way the narrative functions. Philip is an old man with regrets, and he is hiding much of past from not only everyone around...