Does Roberts feel like a "tacked-on" character?

Roberts is the fleshed out version of the saying: “nice guys always finish last.” Does Roberts feel like a tacked on character? What is his role in the novel?

I loved "finding" him on the pages as I read. He was found on walks, at dinner parties, at the mansion, at the hospital, and at the cottage. As a reader, I found comfort in his presence; Roberts' role and function
is uncovered in the end. I must admit that I thought he was just trying so hard to "court" Annie, and she just didn't "see" him. I was pleasantly surprised when his full strength and purpose was revealed to us; what a refreshing discovery! Do you see him as an example as a courtly love?

Although Roberts did seem to show up suspiciously pretty much everywhere, I enjoyed his character and never felt that he was out of place. I was also glad that at the end Annie finally realized that he was interested in her, and vice versa.

I liked Roberts and think he was the one character of all of them that had the right combination of sense and sensibility. He provided rational advice and help as well as emotional support to several characters. He evidently had had a loving marriage and might have a good relationship with Annie in the future.

I loved finding Roberts in the story, so many different times and places. Youu're right Audreg, he did have the right conbination. Everyone's lives could be spinning out of control and he would appear and offer help. It was comforting to know that he and Annie will walk off into the sunset together!!!

I enjoyed each sighting of Roberts. I didn't think he was "tacked on". He was around often but flew under the radar until the best moment for him to take center stage. The humility of his character was touching. If Annie had been paying attention to her own situation instead of her sister Miranda's, she might have realized his and her own feelings earlier, but then, that would be a different story, huh?

No more than Col. Brandon did. The change in the Austen plot works here. Annie was just as self-absorbed as the other characters, though perhaps more for the "right reasons."

He and Uncle Lou were my favorites -- both were sort of on the edge of the story, but really the most important characters in the end -- because without them the Weissmann women would have fallen even further down in society.

Yes, you mean his character is not well developed nor really meaningful. This lack of character depth is my chief complaint with this book

I don't think Roberts was a "tacked-on" character. He is the one in the background always providing a bit of an anchor when things go wrong. It is interesting that he is the one "responsible" for Betty getting the apartment back, but by then even if she hadn't died, I don't think she would have moved back anymore than Annie and Miranda wanted the apartment at that point. The women had grown and changed by then from what they wanted at the outset of the book.

Roberts was a key character: he was the rock.

No, Robert was not tacked on , in fact he was the one cslm in all the storms and you kept waiting for the good guy to win!

Roberts was one of the actually decent characters with only sincere motives. His constant presence kept you guessing as to what his role would be and gave a bit of tension to the story.

Roberts's character may not have been well developed by his thoughts, but his actions speak very loudly. He is responsible for the positive things that happen. Although, like Col.Brandon, he may have seemed destined for Miranda, Annie finally saw his true character. Definitely, an integral part of the story.