Farfallon

A cunning Sicilian pastry chef imprisoned for attempted murder, whose obsession with escaping drives the plot. He navigates prison networks with charm and improvisation, using every opportunity to pursue revenge on his wife. His scheming leads to multiple escapes and risky partnerships.

A wily baron transferred to the same prison who orchestrates an escape plan with Farfallon and becomes entangled in schemes for money and revenge. He projects a veneer of aristocratic authority while chasing personal gains. His loyalties shift as events unfold.

Wife of Farfallon, whose relationship with him drives his revenge and complicates his escape. She becomes a focal point in the power struggle within the prison world and its wider consequences.

A Trappistine nun who hides Farfallon in exchange for pastry secrets, then betrays him by handing him over to Vatican guards. Her actions underscore mercurial loyalties within religious life and influence the escape arc.

The prison director who oversees the escape attempts and enforces the harsh discipline of the penal system after the initial freedom. His manipulation and control help drive the inmates' fates.

An inmate fascinated by flight who proposes wing experiments as a path to escape. His invention represents a speculative, almost quixotic take on freedom, contrasting with the practical schemes of others.