Henri begins the book as a sweet, simple boy who enlists in Napoleon’s army because of the glory Napoleon promises. From childhood, Henri struggles with his lukewarm sense of faith in his Catholic household. All of the people around him are devout Christians who do unholy things, and he struggles with this contradiction. Like his faith, Henri’s fervor for nationalism fades as he experiences the realities of war. Upon meeting the dazzling Villanelle, he escapes the army and heads for Italy, finally a master of his own destiny.

Venetian Villanelle embodies everything about her beloved city, which is nicknamed the city of change and the city of sin. She has no allegiance to binaries, lounging in churches and making her living as a cross-dressing card dealer at the casino. Taking pride in making love to men and women without losing her heart, Villanelle surprises herself by losing her “reliable organ” to a mysterious woman she affectionately calls the Queen of Spades. Though she reclaims her heart with Henri’s help and adopts a more sedate lifestyle, Villanelle admits she’ll likely gamble her heart again. In this way, she represents the idea that passion inspires