Daisy Darker

Daisy Darker is the eponymous protagonist and first-person narrator of the novel. Throughout her narrative, readers are unaware that Daisy is an unintentionally unreliable chronicler of events. Although she died at the age of 13, she represses the knowledge that she is a ghost, leading her to misinterpret the behavior of others.

The circumstances of Daisy’s death contribute to her repression of this memory. The traumatic experiences of being hit by a car and then thrown over a cliff are exacerbated by the fact that her killers were her sisters and Conor—the boy she had a crush on. Unable to acknowledge her circumstances, Daisy reframes her demise as an unspecified incident that prompted her family to stop speaking to her. However, her clothing and appearance provide a clue to the truth. Despite claiming to be 29 the protagonist admits to looking “younger than [her] years” and “still dressing like a child” (3).

Daisy’s name is an oxymoron, hinting at her contradictory traits. Due to their fresh, cheerful appearance, daisies are traditionally associated with purity and innocence. The protagonist’s naivety and generally “sweet” nature accurately reflect these qualities. However, Daisy’s family name, Darker, suggests a less sunny side to her character.