Florent Sorel

Florent Sorel appears as the boyfriend of Charlotte Kominsky, though his relationship with her is revealed to be rooted in manipulation and deception. Whilst he "appears" to be in love with Charlotte, Charlotte doesn't share many of his feelings.

Background

Florent Sorel is first introduced as an urbane, somewhat romantic young man with an interest in urban exploration (urbex). He is an "alleged" acquaintance of Clarisse Kominsky, through whom he meets Charlotte. At first glance, he appears to be an ideal partner: mildly attractive, thoughtful, attentive, and invested in Charlotte’s well-being, particularly after her breakup in September 2012 with Claire Cobert, at a moment when Charlotte needs him the most. However, this entire involvement is later exposed as a staged mission orchestrated by Amelia Whiteridge, Charlotte’s mother, via Heather Reed.

His past remains largely unknown, even to Charlotte, as he rarely talks about it, or at least avoids talking about it for fear of contradiction.

Amelia, motivated by her homophobia and fear of Charlotte’s sexual orientation, hired Florent as a boyfriend to “set her daughter straight” after Charlotte’s breakup with Claire Cobert, a relationship that deeply infuriated Amelia. Florent was instructed to become romantically involved with Charlotte, distract her from her feelings for Claire, and ultimately manipulate her behaviour and decisions.

Physical Appearance

Florent is tall, lean, and ruggedly attractive, though his dishevelled appearance often betrays his internal instability. He has grown-out tousled brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a moustache that Charlotte notably dislikes. His usual attire consists of dark jeans, a blue pullover, and a black scarf, suggesting a scruffy, artsy aesthetic that contrasts with Charlotte’s refined and apocalyptic world.

Personality

Florent is a blend of cowardice, performative affection, and strategic manipulation. While capable of appearing romantic, his affection is always performative, calculated to maintain Charlotte’s attention and disarm her suspicions. He is emotionally unstable, panics under pressure, and tends to crumble when confronted. His guilt manifests in moments of weakness, but he rarely acts with courage or true remorse until it’s too late.

He is both a puppet and an opportunist, comfortable lying for money and validation, but visibly shaken when the consequences catch up. Despite occasional regret, he lacks the moral strength to be anything more than a passive threat to those around him.

Relationships

• Charlotte Kominsky: Florent’s relationship with Charlotte is complex. Though he is employed to manipulate her, he does seem to develop a conflicted emotional connection. However, his deceit overrides any real affection. Charlotte views him as a temporary placeholder, a distraction from her grief, and later as a traitor. Their final interactions are marked by fury, betrayal, and emotional disillusionment.

• Clarisse Kominsky: His initial connection to the Kominsky family comes through Clarisse. She remains evasive when questioned about her knowledge of Florent’s role, suggesting she might have been complicit, or at least aware of his true mission.

• Amelia Whiteridge: Amelia is Florent’s employer. She hires him in secret, hoping he can distract Charlotte from her feelings for Claire. Her motivations are rooted in her disdain for her daughter’s homosexuality and fear of social scandal. Her payment to Florent (twice, once at the beginning and once during a later escalation) underscores her commitment to controlling Charlotte’s life through manipulation.

Role in the Story

Florent embodies the theme of surveillance, betrayal, and the weaponisation of relationships. His arc reflects the danger of emotional puppetry, of loving someone not for who they are but for who you’ve been paid to pretend they are. He stands as a cautionary figure, like a symbol of how external interference (especially parental control within a wealthy household) can corrupt even the most intimate of bonds.

His final role in the narrative is one of exposure and humiliation. Interrogated by Heather Reed and confronted by Charlotte, Florent is revealed for who he truly is: a scared young man with no spine, trapped in a lie too big for him to sustain. His presence lingers as one of the novel’s most painful betrayals.