Abel Geiger is a German performer who works as the Pierrot, or clown, for the traveling Dandelion Troupe. His primary responsibility on stage is to bring comedy and laughter to the audience. To fulfill this role, he wears distinctive clown makeup and performs a variety of amusing physical acts, including juggling, acrobatics, and balancing on a large ball.

Despite his profession as a comedic entertainer, Abel possesses a deeply serious and wise personality, often serving as a voice of reason. He is a highly educated and scholarly man, functioning as a mentor figure to the protagonist, Nadja. Because Nadja was raised in England and does not read German, Abel uses his language skills to help her research in libraries and to read her mother’s diary, which is written in German.

Beneath his cheerful stage persona lies a tragic personal history. Before joining the troupe, Abel was the doctor in an impoverished village. During a severe epidemic, he resorted to stealing medicine from a hospital in an attempt to save his patients. This act led to his imprisonment. Following his release, he felt unable to return to his family, particularly because his son, Stefan, had contracted the same illness and was left confined to a wheelchair as a result.

This past is explored in detail during the story, specifically when a boy in a wheelchair and his mother attend a performance, causing Abel to lose his composure. This event reveals his hidden pain and the guilt he carries over his family, providing a stark contrast to his role as the troupe's clown. His journey involves reconciling his identity as a performer who brings joy with the sorrow of his personal life, and his ability to carve intricate items like nutcracker dolls hints at his gentle and meticulous nature.