75 pages • 2 hours read
Riley SagerMiddle of the Night
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2024A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Character Analysis
Ethan Marsh
Ethan Marsh, the protagonist of Middle of the Night, is consumed by guilt and haunted by the disappearance of his childhood friend, Billy. This unresolved trauma defines his life, leaving him emotionally stunted and deeply introspective. Throughout the novel, Ethan’s overwhelming sense of responsibility for Billy’s fate shapes his worldview, rendering him more a vessel of unresolved emotions than a fully realized individual. This lack of a clear identity or defining characteristics is evident in the chapters narrated from his first-person perspective, where his thoughts are dominated by the past, leaving little room for personal growth or self-discovery.
Ethan’s relationships are marked by Billy’s absence. The void left by Billy’s disappearance creates a profound loneliness in Ethan, making it difficult for him to trust or connect with others. His relationship with Ashley, another childhood friend, is particularly complex; while they share a deep bond over their shared grief, Ashley’s eventual revelation about her role in Billy’s death shatters what little trust Ethan had managed to build, plunging him further into a state of betrayal and anger.
Ethan’s belief in the supernatural reflects his desperate need to find meaning and closure in the wake of Billy’s disappearance and, later, the death of his wife, Claudia. His fixation on the idea that Billy’s ghost might be trying to communicate with him underscores his struggle to reconcile reality with his emotional needs. This belief makes Ethan vulnerable, as his need for answers makes him susceptible to manipulation by others. However, discovering the truth about Billy’s disappearance gives Ethan the closure he needs to move forward and heal.
The story’s financial chapter reveals that Ethan has evolved as a person. He realizes that his discomfort around children stems from his guilt and trauma regarding Billy, and he has worked through this fear to become a father figure for Henry. Ethan is able to recognize positive similarities between Billy and Henry, and he can enjoy that instead of being triggered. He is also able to truly connect with the world around him, forming healthy relationships with his neighbors and fostering a deep connection with Henry. Ethan’s gradual transformation ultimately illustrates the power of closure, healing, and connection.
Billy Barringer
Billy Barringer is introduced as a sensitive and adventurous child who is deeply invested in his relationships with those around him. He is best friends with Ethan Marsh, and their bond is central to the narrative. Billy is portrayed as a vibrant, imaginative boy with a fascination for the supernatural, which reflects a sense of wonder and a desire for meaning beyond the ordinary.
However, Billy’s character is also marked by a sense of isolation. His younger brother Andy feels excluded from his adventures, and Billy’s friendships with other neighborhood kids, particularly Ethan, are crucial to his sense of identity and belonging. Despite his outgoing nature, Billy is not immune to the insecurities and fears that come with being a child on the cusp of adolescence.
The friendship between Billy and Ethan characterizes the heart of the story. However, their relationship is not without conflict. When Ethan abandons Billy at the mausoleum, later sparking an argument about ghosts and inciting Ethan’s harsh words to him, their friendship reaches a turning point. Although Ethan’s words were driven by frustration and immaturity, they deeply wound Billy and linger in Ethan’s mind long after.
Billy’s response to Ethan’s outburst—his half-hearted forgiveness and dismissal of the incident with his frequent “Hakuna matata” line—reflects his desire to maintain their friendship despite the emotional pain. Billy’s resilience and his effort to move past their conflict underscore his emotional complexity and his struggle to balance his feelings of betrayal with his deep-seated affection for Ethan.
Billy’s legacy is reflected in the way he is remembered by those who knew him. Ethan’s longing for reconciliation and his eventual acceptance of Billy’s death demonstrate the enduring nature of their friendship and the profound effect Billy had on Ethan’s life. His adventurous spirit, his complex relationship with Ethan, and the circumstances of his death all contribute to the novel’s exploration of childhood trauma, friendship, and the supernatural.
Ashley Wallace
Although she is ultimately revealed as Billy’s killer, Ashley Wallace is not a villain, just an ordinary person who made an irreversible mistake. As a teenager, Ashley is characterized by her kindness and empathy, notably through her efforts to comfort Ethan’s mother and protect younger children. Ashley is portrayed as strong and empathetic—someone who stands up for bullied children, discourages inappropriate behavior, and reminds Ethan and Billy that they have the power to say no to peer pressure.
She is also ambitious; as a teen, Ashley dreams of escaping suburbia, attending music festivals, and carving out a name for herself in the music industry. Until the night of Billy’s death, she refuses to let her dreams compromise her personal values. Ashley’s innate kindness shines through in her everyday interactions. She is not just a girl with big dreams; she is someone who genuinely cares for those around her, displaying a sense of maturity and responsibility beyond her years.
When she accidentally hits Billy with her car, her immediate reaction is one of shock and overwhelming guilt. She spends an hour cradling his body, hoping for some form of intervention or atonement. This intense emotional response highlights her inner turmoil and the depth of her regret. Ashley’s decision to hide the truth about Billy’s death is a defining aspect of her character. After the accident, she wraps Billy’s body in a blanket and disposes of it in the waterfall, creating a cover-up that ultimately leads to years of unresolved questions and pain. Her choice to keep the accident a secret for 30 years reflects her struggle to cope with the overwhelming guilt and fear of facing the consequences.
As an adult, Ashley’s protective instincts have only deepened, particularly in her relationship with her son, Henry. She loves Henry deeply and she is portrayed as a nurturing mother who wants the best for him, even as she grapples with the secret of Billy’s death, which she has harbored for years. This secret shapes much of her adult life, influencing her decisions and interactions, yet she remains a fundamentally kind and caring person, striving to protect those she loves.
Ashley’s eventual confession is also a pivotal moment for her own emotional journey. The act of admitting her guilt and facing the consequences represents a crucial step toward self-forgiveness and the possibility of redemption. Her willingness to turn herself in and accept responsibility for her actions signifies a profound shift in her character, highlighting her struggle to reconcile her past mistakes with her desire for a more honest life. Ashley’s character arc is a testament to the complexity of human nature, showing how a person can be both deeply flawed and profoundly good. Her journey from a dream-filled teenager to a guilt-ridden but loving mother highlights her resilience and capacity for love, even as she navigates the consequences of her past actions.
Henry Wallace
Henry Wallace, Ashley’s young son, stands out because of his quirky personality. His speech and behavior are oddly formal, setting him apart from other children and giving him an endearingly original presence in the story. This formal manner, combined with his inquisitive nature, reflects an old soul trapped in a child’s body, hinting at a depth of character beyond his years. Henry’s careful choice of words and his thoughtful, sometimes precocious questions reveal a sensitivity that contrasts with his youthful appearance.
These aspects of Henry’s personality often remind Ethan of Billy Barringer, evoking a sense of nostalgia and connection to his long-lost friend. This resemblance becomes particularly poignant when Henry finds himself in peril, as Ethan’s sense of responsibility toward Henry is colored by his memories of Billy. In this way, Henry serves as a living link to Billy, embodying traits that prompt Ethan to confront unresolved feelings and ultimately find closure.
Related Titles
By Riley Sager
