The Simple Gift Characters

Billy Luckett is a 16-year-old Australian boy who runs away from his abusive and alcoholic dad. After he arrives in Bendarat, he falls in love with Caitlin Holmes and becomes a surrogate son to… read analysis of Billy Luckett

Caitlin Holmes is a 17-year-old girl living in Bendarat where she attends a private high school and works at the local McDonald’s. It is there that she meets Billy Luckett, with whom she develops… read analysis of Caitlin Holmes

Old Bill is a middle-aged man who lives in a train car on the outskirts of the Bendarat train station. He used to be a successful lawyer with a family, a dog, and a house… read analysis of Old Bill

Jessie is Old Bill’s daughter. When she was 10 years old, she fell out of a tree to her death. This tragedy upended Old Bill’s life and led him to where the beginning of… read analysis of Jessie

Irene Thompson is the chief librarian in Bendarat. When unhoused teenager Billy Luckett begins to spend his afternoons reading books in the library instead of school, she treats him with kindness and compassion. Like Ernie… read analysis of Irene Thompson

Kate is a friend of Caitlin Holmes and Petra. Caitlin talks with Petra and Kate about her growing relationship with Billy rather than her parents because she has a deeper connection with her friends… read analysis of Kate