Editing The Beach (novel) (section)

===Main characters===
* '''Richard''' – a young English traveller and the main narrator of the novel. 
* '''Daffy (Mister Duck)''' – A Scottish traveller and one of the three original founders of the beach; appears as a mental apparition in Richard's consciousness in the later parts of the novel after his suicide.
* '''Étienne and Françoise''' – both French; two young lovers who befriended Richard during their initial encounter in [[Bangkok]], and subsequently join him in searching for the beach after Richard shows them the map.
* '''Keaty''' – English; becomes close friends with Richard, and shares a [[Game Boy]] addiction. Invited by Sal and Bugs to the beach after they enjoy going on a jungle trek with him over the [[Burma|Burmese]] border.
* '''Jed''' – English; becomes close friends with Richard, and is the island's watchman. Turned up on the beach without a personal invitation, having overheard a rumor of the island while traveling in [[Vientiane]]. Daffy is the sole person in the community completely against his uninvited arrival.
* '''Sal''' – American; one of the three original founders of the beach, and the unofficial leader of the community.