Characters in upcoming book Dances With Women
Satirical comedy about a notorious womaniser unexpectedly struck by midlife crisis, male menopause and the sudden realisation that his days as carefree Casanova might soon be over. He, thus, embarks on one last quest for the extraordinary woman that is to save him from looming loneliness.
At 55 years of age, London’s successful and wealthy marketing tycoon, Benedikt von Karbroich, is living the life most men dream of: fast sports cars, beautiful women and ‘no commitments’.
Then he meets Inez; a type of woman he’s never had to deal with before: unconventional, sharp-witted and not impressed at all by his wealth nor his charm. He just might have met his match in her!
But, the saying ‘a leopard doesn’t change its spots’ is unfortunately only too true for Benedikt. He is still stumbling from one female catastrophe to the next, while, at the same time, persistently pursuing Inez. And this is, where he makes a strategic mistake: she isn’t the kind of woman that plays second fiddle! And so, it’s no surprise to any one (but him) that she becomes his painful ‘Waterloo’ and the one woman he just can’t forget.
Main Protagonist...
Benedict von Karbroich:
Of German descent, single child, born in Wroclaw (now in Poland - before WWII, German territory, the city was then called 'Breslau'), raised in Paris. 55 years old, divorced, managing director of a major advertising agency, has been living and working in London for the last 15 years. Has a penchant for fast and expensive cars as well as women. Fatigues easily of the latter and hangs on as if to dear life to the former.
His Family...
Clara von Karbroich:
Ex-wife of Benedict's. Lives off the generous monthly payments she receives from her ex-husband and amuses herself mainly in Cornwall as lady of leisure. Does not want anything to do with her former spouse unless she needs more money.
Benedict's and Clara's children:
Elisabeth (21 years old) and Marianne (22 years old); Elisabeth is employed by a major marketing company in London, Marianne studies literature in Oxford.
Benedict's mother, Helena von Karbroich:
Born and raised in Breslau, former architect, a vain 78 year old, still very mobile with her own Mercedes (Pagode from 1967), makes life difficult for her son by constantly reminding him that he married far too early, and that certainly Clara had been the wrong choice. Still lives in Benedict's childhood villa, in a suburb of Paris; she calls her son every day. Benedict's favorite and most successful weapon to silence his incessantly criticising mother: "Father would not have liked that!"
Benedict's father:
Prof. Ernst von Karbroich, deceased, formerly a professor at the University of Oxford, faculty of philosophy.
The "old" and the "new" woman...
Gesine van Kleisten:
A Dutch woman Benedict was introduced to by his best friend Peter, also his girlfriend at the time when he meets Inez. Rich, divorced, head of several large charity organisations. Pathologically jealous.
Inez Bellavista:
39 years old; mother Swedish, father Italian. An utterly free spirit, independent, creative and not one bit conventional. Works as an independent event plabber and art consultant consultant in London. Meets Benedict at a mutual client, quickly succumbs to his fierce courtship, only to realize that she has fallen in love with a "Peter Pan" or rather an incorrigible Casanova. The latter soon begins to lead a double life with another woman, while Inez and Benedict already live together in their new town house in London. When Inez learns of his deception, she plots revenge and decides to become Benedict's "Waterloo" where women are concerned.
The other woman (and first of Benedict's many female catastrophes thereafter)...
Miriam Winterfeldt:
Benedict's childhood friend and once the reason for his divorce from Clara. Lives in Frankfurt, Germany, but emerges again and again in his life. Regrettably she also has an alcohol problem, which Benedict recognizes much too late.
His friends...
Benedict's best friend and "Dear Abby", Peter van Gaalen:
Dutch, friends with him since their days at the Sorbonne (University of Paris), his better conscience, his go-to when female trouble plagues Benedict (as it often does). Lives also in London and is a successful solicitor in a large law firm.
Dennis Waterson:
Also one of Benedict's best friends, former fighter pilot in the RAF (Royal Air Force), now retired Lieutenant Colonel, lives idyllically on the south coast of England. His high-strung wife is later diagnosed with schizophrenia; this plays a key role in ending the friendship between the two men. Dennis eventually falls in love with Inez, who has no idea about his feelings for her and only later learns of his secret affection.
"Jake" (Jakob) Ginsburg:
German, lives in Munich, Friends with Benedict for 25 years (they started together in the same company, in their first jobs). Professionally, their paths keep intersecting once in a while briefly, until they finally are to work together on a big advertising campaign in London, Benedict as head of the campaign and Jake as his client. Their relationship, however, becomes more and more strained with each of Benedict's affairs, since Jake is an honest soul and hates deception or rather "cheating".
Book Covers
