Norwood (novel)

Characters

• Norwood Pratt, recently returned home on special discharge from the Marines. He is an employee of Nipper Independent Oil Company and Servicenter.
• Vernell Pratt, Norwood's sister, widely regarded as not quite fit to care for herself, hence Norwood's special discharge. At Norwood's arranging, employee of the New Ralph Hotel Coffee Shop.
• Joe William Reese, a Marine buddy, originally from Arkansas but living in New York. Owes Norwood $70.
• Bill Bird, an older, retired veteran. After a brief courtship at the New Ralph Hotel Coffee Shop, marries Vernell, moves into the Pratt home.
• Grady Fring , a disbarred lawyer, shyster, and car hustler. Convinces Norwood to drive an Oldsmobile 98 to New York City.
• Yvonne Phillips Norwood's unrequested passenger on the road trip to New York. Norwood and Yvonne part ways when Norwood abandons the cars and instead completes the trip by hitchhiking, trainhopping, and more-legitimately arranged train passage.
• Dave Heineman, an undermotivated freelance travel writer, New York resident, and one-time friend of Joe William.
• Rita Lee Chipman, estranged wife-to-be of a Marine named Wayne. She meets Norwood on his bus ride back to Ralph. The two take a romantic interest in each other.
• Edmund B. Ratner, "the world's smallest perfect fat man." He opens Norwood's eyes to certain of society's slights against midget culture. Expresses sympathy for Joann the Wonder Hen, The College Educated Chicken, liberated from her servitude by Norwood and company.