Blueback Character Analysis

Abel Jackson

Abel Jackson is the protagonist of Blueback. At the beginning of the novel, he’s 10 years old, and he lives with his mother Dora in Longboat Bay, a coastal town in Western Australia. Abel… read analysis of Abel Jackson

Dora Jackson (Abel’s Mother)

Dora Jackson is Abel’s mother. She’s a quiet, strong, and tough woman. Her skin is tanned from spending time in the sun, and her hands are calloused from hard work. She’s knowledgeable and skilled… read analysis of Dora Jackson (Abel’s Mother)

Blueback

The novel’s titular character, Blueback, is a large blue groper. He’s a magnificent old fish with shimmering blue scales, big round eyes, and a wide mouth. His home is the reef near Robbers Head in… read analysis of Blueback

Abel’s Father

While he was alive, Abel Jackson’s father loved the ocean. He spent so much time in the water that people often joked that he seemed more fish than human. He worked as a pearl… read analysis of Abel’s Father

Costello

Costello is the new abalone diver who comes to Longboat Bay the year after Mad Macka dies. Costello is cruel and vicious. He has a bad reputation of being a “reef stripper,” which means he’s… read analysis of Costello

Stella

Stella is Abel Jackson’s wife. She and Abel first meet and fall in love while Abel is at university. Stella is originally from the desert, but she loves the sea. Alongside Abel, she becomes… read analysis of Stella

Mad Macka

Mad Macka is an abalone diver. Every year, he comes to Longboat Bay in his yellow boat to dive for abalone. He’s friendly, fond of Blueback, and careful not to take too many abalone… read analysis of Mad Macka

Minor Characters

Little Dora Jackson (Abel’s Daughter)

Dora Jackson is Abel and Stella’s young daughter. Affectionately called “little Dora,” she’s named after her grandmother—Abel’s mother—Dora Jackson. When little Dora turns three years old, her parents take her diving in Longboat Bay, and she meets Blueback for the first time.

Blueback

Tim Winton

Blueback Characters

Abel Jackson

Dora Jackson (Abel’s Mother)

Blueback

Abel’s Father

Costello

Stella

Mad Macka