House of Hollow

The youngest Hollow sister, Iris Hollow is the protagonist of House of Hollow. She’s introverted, gentle, and kind, describing herself in contrast to her sisters as the “quiet, bright one who loved science and geography and had a natural flair for mathematics” and “wanted desperately [...] to be unremarkable” (5). Iris is a diligent student who avoids conflict, and a loving daughter and sister. Like her sisters, Iris treasures their supernatural bond and looks up to eldest sister Grey as a role model: “Grey had broken her pinkie hours before, so I had found a hammer in my father’s pottery shed and used it to shatter my own. I didn’t follow my sister. I was my sister” (35). This visceral bond increases her empathy and understanding—which allow her to defeat the bull-man (Gabe Hollow) at the end of the novel.

While Grey plays the role of general and Vivi the assistant within the sisters’ dynamic, Iris knows “My role was to be the youngest, the baby, a thing to be protected” (35). Iris seeks protection from her bullies, Jennifer and Justine, whom Grey and Vivi harm without remorse. She’s also rescued by Grey when a photographer attempts to sexually assault her at a fashion show.