Desperation (1996)

Character List

This section MAY contain spoilers. If you haven't read the book, you may not want to read this section.

?, Barbie

Worked for Desperation Mining Corporation.

?, Betty

Aunt of Steve Ames who lived in Arnette.

?, Bonnie

A poster of Bonnie and Clyde was in The American West theatre.

?, Clyde

A poster of Bonnie and Clyde was in The American West theatre.

?, Denise

Worked mornings at the Owls Club in Desperation.

?, George

Character in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf"

?, Jim

Worked for Desperation Mining Corporation.

?, Kathi

Name on the footpath in David Carver's dream

?, Martha

Character in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf"

?, Russell

Name on the footpath in David Carver's dream

?, Wanda

Aunt of Cynthia Smith.

3 Stooges

Mentioned in passing

Aaron

Biblical character mentioned in passing

Albee, Edward

Wrote "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf"

Ames, Steven Andrew

Van driver that was helping John Marinville travel across the country.

Apple Jack

Childhood bogeyman of Mary Jackson

Appleton, Jack

Editor at FS&G for John Marinville for the last 10 years.

Barrow, Clyde

John Marinville had a terrified Clyde Barrow grin when he blew off the Cougar's head.

Bates, Mrs

Character in the movie Psycho. Mother of Norman Bates.

Bates, Norman

Character in the movie Psycho

Bee Gees, The

Band mentioned in passing

Belle, Albert

Baseball player who had signed one of David Carver's baseball cards.

Benny, Jack

Comedian mentioned in passing

Bergman, Ingrid

Actress mentioned in passing

Berk, Alfie

Owner of Berk's Conoco in Fallon, Nevada.

Billingsley, Mr

Father of Tom Billingsley.

Billingsley, Tom

Retired vet with white hair that was captured by Collie Entragian. A drunk that was attacked by a cougar in The American West theatre and died in July 1995.

Black Sabbath

Band that Steve Ames toured with for 8 months

Bligh, Captain

Mentioned in passing

Bogart, Humphrey

Actor mentioned in passing

Boone, Daniel

Mentioned in passing

Boone, Richard

Actor in the movie "Hombre"

Bowles, Paul

Mentioned in passing

Boyd, Stephen

Actor mentioned in passing

Bridges, Jeff

Actor in a movie titled American Heart

Brophy, Harold

A gambler that was supposed to have killed one of the Chinese miners that escaped Tak in the story told by Tom Billingsley.

Browne, Sam

Collie Entragian wore a Sam Browne belt.

Buckley, William F

Mentioned in passing

Buffalo Bill

Mentioned in passing

Bundy, Ted

Serial Killer

Burgoyne, Dr.

Doctor of Brian Ross when he was hit and almost killed by a drunk driver.

Burroughs, Edgar Rice

Author mentioned by Collie Entragian

Buzzards

One of the animals used by Tak to view the people in the town of Desperation and to kill others

Camel, Joe

There was a shirt with him on it in the toilet at the American West theatre in Desperation.

Can Tah's Little Gods.

They sometimes took the form of animal stone statues that caused people to have evil thoughts, or do Tak's wishes

Can Tak's Big Gods.

Carpenter, Mary Chapin

Singer heard on the radio by Steve Ames

Carver, David

11 year old son of Ellen and Ralph Carver.

Carver, Ellen Margaret

Mother of David and Kirsten Carver, and wife of Ralph Carver.

Carver, Kirsten (Pie)

7 year old daughter of Ellen and Ralph Carver.

Carver, Ralph

Father of David and Kirsten Carver, and husband of Ellen Carver.

Cash, Johnny

Singer mentioned in passing

Cavaliere, Felix

Lead singer of The Rascalls

Cheever, John

Writer mentioned by John Marinville. He died as an alcoholic

Christian, Fletcher

Mentioned in passing

Claus, Santa

Mentioned in passing

Clinton, Bill

Former President of the USA mentioned in passing

Colonel Henry

A Motocop character mentioned in passing

Cougar, The

Attacked and killed Tom Billingsley in The American West theatre. Controlled by Tak. It was shot and killed by John Marinville in July 1995.

Coyotes

One of the animals used by Tak to view the people in the town of Desperation and to kill others

Curious George

Character in a book read by Ellen Carver to Kirsten Carver

Daniel

Biblical character mentioned in passing

Daniels, Norman

He Broke Cynthia Smith's nose and killed Anna Stevenson.

Daniels, Rose Diana

Wife of Norman Daniels. She was not mentioned by name, but was described.

Davis, Bette

Actress in movies played at The American West theatre in Desperation

Day, Doris

Actress mentioned in passing

Dean, James Dead actor

DeMille, Cecil B

Movie director

Dickey, James

In an article written by Peter Jackson

Doolottle, Dr

Character out of children's books

Do-Right, Dudley

Cartoon character mentioned in passing

Douglas, Kirk

Actor in movies played at The American West theatre in Desperation

Dr Ruth

Therapist mentioned in passing

Dredd, Judge

David Carver owns a toy of him

Duchess of Windsor

Mentioned in passing

Duke of Earl

Mentioned in passing

Dylan, Bob

Singer who played with Peter Tosh at Forest Hills

Entragian, Collier (Collie)

Town cop from Desperation

Esau

Character from the Bible

Escolla, ?

Killed in Desperation when he was run over with his girlfriend, then shot by Collier Entragian in July 1995. Worked at the crusher at the Desperation Mine.

Fiddleback Spiders

One of the animals used by Tak to view the people in the town of Desperation and to kill others

Finney, ?

Ex-husband of Deirdre Finney. They are divorced.

Finney, Deirdre

Married name of Deirdre Jackson.

Foote, Shelby

Writer who likened John Marinville to John Steinbeck

Frankenstein

Mentioned in passing

Franklin, Patricia

Name in John Marinville's notebook. A redhead from the "Friends of open Libes".

Friday, Joe

Collie Entragian sounded like him

G I Joe

Kids character

Garcia, Jerry

Grateful Dead band member mentioned in passing

Gardner, John

Author who hit a tree and died on a motorbike in Pennsylvania

Garfield

Comic Cat

Gartner, Bruno

In a car accident with John Marinville.

Geller, Frank

Chief mining engineer for Desperation Mining Corporation in charge of reopening the mine.

God

He often talked to David Carver

Golden Eagle

Tak transferred itself from the dying Ellen Carver to the eagle

Goofy

Cartoon character in a screen saver at the Desperation Mining Corporation office

Gould, Stephen Jay

John Marinville was writing a novel about him but destroyed it by putting the discs in the microwave for 10 minutes on high.

Greatful Dead, The

Band mentioned in passing

Guthrie, Arlo

Mentioned in passing

Halberstam, David

Writer and Historian that was in Vietnam with John Marinville. He was in a photo in John Marinville's wallet.

Hansen, Buzz

Friend of Tom Billingsley in Desperation.

Harding, Tonya

She was on the cover of a Penthouse magazine

Hardy, Mrs

Worked in the West Wentworth Middle School Office

Harris, Bill

Agent of John Marinville.

Hemingway, Ernest

Writer mentioned in passing

Hendrix, Jimmy

Musician mentioned in passing

Heston, Charlton

Actor mentioned in passing

Houdini, Harry

Escape artist

Hudson, Rock

Actor mentioned in passing

Hutter, Sean

Friend of John Marinville

Iunesco, Eugene

Writer mentioned in passing

Ives, Marty

Friend of Tom Billingsley in Desperation.

Jackson, Deirdre

Sister of Peter Jackson

Jackson, Mary

Wife of Peter Jackson.

Jackson, Mr

Father of Peter Jackson

Jackson, Mrs

Mother of Peter Jackson

Jackson, Peter

Husband of Mary Jackson.

Jacob

Character from the Bible

Jesus

Mentioned in passing

John the Baptist

Character in the Bible

Joseph

Character in the Bible

Josephson, ?

One of two children of Brad Josephson.

Josephson, ?

One of two children of Brad Josephson.

Josephson, Brad

Desperation Mining Corporation secretary.

Josephson, Mrs

Wife of Brad Josephson.

Joshua

Biblical character mentioned in passing

Judkins, Richie

Ex-boyfriend of Cynthia Smith.

Karloff, Boris

Actor in Frankenstein movies

Kincaid, Tom

Friend of Tom Billingsley in Desperation.

King Darius

Biblical character mentioned in passing

Kinshaw, Gertrude (Gert)

A friend of Cynthia Smith who worked for Daughters and Sisters.

Koontz, Dean

Writer mentioned by Cynthia Smith

KrayZee, Professor

Cartoon character liked by Kirsten Carver

Lake, Ricki

TV Talk Show host

Lancaster, Cash

Friend of Tom Billingsley in Desperation.

Lennon, John

Singer mentioned in passing

Lewis, Jerry

Comedian mentioned in passing

Lightfoot, Gordon

Mentioned in passing

Lincoln, Abe

President of the USA

Little Rascalls, The

Band later known as The Rascalls

Loren, Sophia

Actress in movies played at The American West theatre in Desperation

Loveless, Patty

Singer thought of by Tom Billingsley

Loving, Clayton

Has some stuff auctioned off, and the bar from the property was put into the American West theatre by Tom Billingsley and his friend

Lushan, Ch'an

Worked in the China Mine in 1859. Brother of Shih.

Lushan, Shih

Worked in the China Mine in 1859. Brother of Ch'an

Mailer, Norman

Writer who John Marinville was likened to

Mansfield, Jane

Actress in movies played at The American West theatre in Desperation

Marcucci, Sylvia

Spat on Cynthia Smith in the 8th grade

Marinville, ?

Child of John and Terry Marinville.

Marinville, ?

Child of John and Terry Marinville.

Marinville, ?

Fourth wife of John Marinville.

Marinville, ?

Second wife of John Marinville.

Marinville, ?

Third wife of John Marinville.

Marinville, Bronwyn

Daughter of John and Terry Marinville. The only one of his children that still talk to their father

Marinville, John Edward

A 56 year old writer who tried to commit suicide in the past. He was travelling across the country on a Harley researching a new book. Wrote the short stories: "Death on the Second Shift", "Feeding the Flames", "A kiss on lake Saranac", "Heaven-sent Weather". His books include: "Delight", "Song of the Hammer", and "Tiburon". He was researching a new book of true stories to be released as a non-fiction book when he was captured by Collie Entragian. He died in July 1995 when he blew up Tak's ini using ANFO explosive and a shotgun shell.

Marinville, Terry

First wife of John Marinville

Martin, Gene

Reverend at the Methodist Church in Wentworth

Martin, Stella

Wife of Gene Martin.

Martinez, Pascal

Saturday blast crew boss for the Desperation Mining Corp.

Maupin, Armistead

Author mentioned by Collie Entragian

McCarthy, Cormac

Mentioned in passing

Monroe, Marilyn

Actress who's poster is in the projection booth at The American West Movie Theatre

Moran, Flip

Killed when he was run over by Collier Entragian.

Moses

Biblical character mentioned in passing

Moss, Kate

Mentioned in passing

Motokops 2200

Kirsten Carver was wearing a Motokops shirt when she was killed

Mummy, The

From horror films watched by Brian Ross and David Carver

Murphy, David Lee

Singer mentioned in passing

Newman, Paul

Actor in movies played at The American West theatre in Desperation

Nickerson, Patty

In a car accident with John Marinville.

Oates, Joyce Carol

At a party in East Hampton with John Marinville

O'Brien, Tim

Actor mentioned by Collie Entragian

Onslo, Dick

Friend of Tom Billingsley in Desperation.

Ortega, Tommy

Owned an El Camino truck in Desperation.

Paiuta

Natives from around the Desperation area.

Palance, Jack

Actor mentioned in passing

Paycheck, Johnny

Mentioned in passing

Pearl Jam

Band mentioned in passing

Pearson, Dave

Was full time deputy in Desperation

Peck, Gregory

Actor in movies played at The American West theatre in Desperation

Pharaoh

Character in the Bible

Pickins, Slim

Mentioned in passing

Pinette, Duffy

In Vietnam with John Marinville.

Pope John Paul

Mentioned in passing

Poppins, Mary

Mentioned in passing

Potiphar

Character from the Bible

Presley, Elvis

Singer mentioned in passing

Prudum, Joe

Night watchman for Desperation Mining Corp.

Queen Victoria

Mentioned in passing

Raitt, Bonnie

Singer whose tape was in Peter Jackson's car

Rancourt, Billy

Desperation town drunk and the Barber who also worked at the Feed Store.

Reed, James (Jim)

Desperation Safety Officer.

Rice, Anne

Author mentioned by Collie Entragian

Ripton, ?

Brother of Cary Ripton

Ripton, Cary

48 Year old balding Pit foreman of the Rattlesnake Division

Rivera, Miquel

Works with Pascal Martinez at the Desperation mine on the weekend blasting crew.

Ross, Brian

David's friend from Wentworth.

Ross, Debbie

Mother of Brian Ross and wife of Mark Ross

Ross, Mark

Father of Brian Ross and husband of Debbie Ross

Sally

Horse of Audry Wyler.

Satan

Biblical character mentioned in passing

Sawyer, Tom

Mentioned in passing

Schwartzenegger, Arnold

Actor mentioned in passing

Shakespeare, William

Author mentioned in passing

Shoenstack, Evelyn

Runs Desperation Cut and Curl and worked in the library.

Shoshone, The

Natives from around the Desperation area.

Smith, Cynthia

Hitchhiker picked up by Steve Ames outside Ely

Smith, Mr

Father of Cynthia. Used to be a minister, but now retired.

Smith, Mrs

Mother of Cynthia Smith

Snakes

One of the animals used by Tak to view the people in the town of Desperation and to kill others

Soderson, Gary

Friend of Peter and Mary Jackson.

Soderson, Marielle

Friend of Peter and Mary Jackson.

Southside Johnny

Steve Ames worked for them in 1986

Spielberg, Steven

At a party in East Hampton with John Marinville

Steel, Danielle

Writer mentioned by Cynthia Smith

Steinbeck, John

Writer who John Marinville was likened to

Stevenson, Anna

Ran the Daughters and Sisters shelter

Stoker, Bram

Writer mentioned in passing

Stone, Robert

Actor mentioned by Collie Entragian

Styles, Cassandra (Cassie)

A Motocop character on Kristen Carvers shirt

Swaggart, Jimmy

Preacher mentioned in passing

Sweetheart, Melissa

Doll of Kristen Carver

Symes, Allen

Mining engineer and company Comptroller for Desperation Mining Corporation, from Phoenix.

Ti, Yuan

A miner in the China Pit that went mad because of the can tahs.

Timorov, Rachel

In a car accident with John Marinville.

Tommyknockers, The

Troublemakers that are rumored to inhabit mines.

Tosh, Peter

Singer on Cynthia Smith's shirt.

Trackers, The

Band mentioned in passing

Tritt, Travis

Country Singer mentioned in passing

Tucker, Tanya

Country Singer mentioned in passing

Turner, Kirk

Crew boss in the rattlesnake Number Two mine for Desperation Mining Corporation.

Van Slyke, Andy

Baseball player who had signed one of David Carver's baseball cards.

Waits, Tom

Singer mentioned in passing

Waslewski, Dr.

Neurologist looking after Brian Ross after he was hit by a car

Wayne, John

Actor mentioned by Collie Entragian

Winfrey, Oprah

TV Talk Show host

Wolfe, Tom

Laughed at John Marinville's imitation of Jimmy Swaggart

Worrell, Hugh

Father of Wendy and Mert Worrell and owner of Worrells store and butcher.

Worrell, Mrs

Wife of Hugh Worrell and mother of Mert and Wendy.

Worrell, Wendy

Daughter of Hugh Worrell.

Wrightson, Bernie

Collie Entragian had a chin like a Bernie Wrightson comic book hero

Wyler,

Audrey Was a consulting Geologist for Diablo Mining.

Wyler, Mr

Father of Audrey Wyler.

Yeoman, Curt

Worked for telephone company.

Zappa, Frank

Singer mentioned in passing