A Study in Drowning

Preston is an academic scholar whom Effy initially describes as “infuriating” but with whom she eventually finds connection and mutual respect. Although he first appears to be self-assured and privileged, it’s soon revealed that, like Effy, he is a victim of stigma as a minority identity. He moved to his mother’s home country of Llyr to study literature at the college Effy tried so hard to get into, and although he can claim legal citizenship, he is at a disadvantage because of his upbringing and accent. He represents the opposite end of the marginalization spectrum from Effy: She doesn’t share his advantage of being male, while he doesn’t share her advantage of a local upbringing and culture. Each has elements that make them stand out in different ways.

Throughout the novel, Preston shows himself to be grounded in the known world and resistant to things like magic and superstition. When he and Effy first discuss the concept of ghosts, he argues that ghosts are likely a projected manifestation of the human consciousness. He takes a similar perspective when Effy shares the intimate story of her childhood trauma and meeting with the Fairy King. Although he doesn’t discount the reality of her emotional experience, he’s not able to reconcile his earthly beliefs with the otherworldly or the unknown. Even when he’s faced with the reality of the Fairy King himself, Effy knows there will always be a part of him that tries to rationalize it away. She accepts this as a facet of him that is simply different from herself.

Like Effy, Preston suffers from trauma inflicted early in his life. He shares with her the loss of his father due to a form of internal drowning, which gave Preston a fear of drowning in his own life. Although this experience happens long before the events of the novel, it becomes essential to the plot as Preston’s “fatherless” state gives Ianto the opportunity to use him in a ritualistic sacrifice. This puts Preston in a position where he’s forced to face his greatest fear, yet even at this point he doesn’t allow fear to control him, instead rationalizing their situation and encouraging Effy to save her own life. He shows his loyalty to her on numerous occasions, most notably when they face the academic patriarchy together in the novel’s closing chapters. Although he could take credit for Effy’s work very easily, he stands up for her and presents a united front in the name of social change.

Ianto fills a dual identity in A Study in Drowning, acting as both a supporting character and the novel’s primary antagonist. He’s first introduced as a faceless name attached to the letter Effy receives in response to her submission. However, it’s immediately clear that he’s Emrys Myrddin’s son and dedicated to the idea of his father in some way, as he informs Effy that her submission “was far and away the one I felt best honored my father’s legacy” (21). Effy doesn’t meet him in person until her second day at Hiraeth, after she and Preston have already met. The novel juxtaposes lighthearted and sinister tones around Ianto’s appearance, paralleling his contrasting inner nature. While his actions and speech are benign, Effy notes that he’s “the same age as Master Corbenic” (55), and when “she shook his hand, her palm came away prickling, almost raw from his calluses” (56). She experiences an immediate distrust of him, though this remains largely in her subconscious for the time being due to her adoration of his father.

As Effy begins to spend more time with Ianto, his disconnected personality confuses her. He is at times jovial and sympathetic and at others predatory and controlling. When he is most himself, he seems genuinely fond of Effy and her promise to uphold his family name. However, both aspects of him are antagonistic toward Preston, who incites the double conflict of interest by distracting Effy from her role and by using Myrddin’s life as fodder for his academic career. The fact that Ianto and the Fairy King both have reasons to dislike and distrust Preston creates solidarity between them. This likely makes it easier for the Fairy King to gain control of Ianto and target Preston at the novel’s climax.

As Effy’s relationship with Ianto grows, she sees both sides fight for dominance over his consciousness. The first clear instance of this is when she and Ianto go into town, and he very suddenly rushes her back home in hopes of corralling the Fairy King’s influence. Later, when Effy asks permission to go away with Preston for a couple days, she witnesses a chaotic internal struggle as Ianto attempts to restrain the Fairy King. However, she doesn’t understand what she’s seeing until later. Although Ianto is ultimately unsuccessful in defeating the Fairy King within him, Effy acknowledges his efforts and his strength. This in turn helps redeem him to his mother, who is mourning the loss of her son.