The Perfect Couple

One half of the titular “perfect couple” of the novel, Celeste Otis is a 28-year-old zoologist who works as the assistant director of the Bronx Zoo. Although golden-haired and blue-eyed Celeste does not see herself as particularly beautiful, other characters describe her as physically attractive, her good looks a foil for her intellect. Celeste thinks of herself as an oddity, since she is unlike many of her peers. Uninterested in popular culture and social media, Celeste feels most at home with her colleagues from the zoo and the world of animals. At the time she meets Benji Winbury, Celeste has not dated more than a couple of men, and she feels unequipped to handle a serious romance. Meeting Benji marks a turning point for Celeste’s character, as the romance ultimately forces her to face her fears and grow up. Prior to Benji, Celeste has stayed away from the larger, mundane world, her parents Bruce and Karen Otis providing her with all the emotional support she needs. Benji introduces middle-class Celeste to the world of wealth, comfort, and appearances, which constitutes a dilemma for Celeste’s character. Significantly, Celeste meets Benji in the reptile section of the zoo.