James Piper
James is the protagonist of the novel, and he works as a piano tuner on Cape Breton Island on Nova Scotia. He later marries Materia when she is only thirteen years of age.
Materia Mahmoud
Materia is the thirteen year old daughter of wealthy Lebanese immigrant parents. She gets married to James much to the displeasure and disapproval of her parents and later bears his children. Her marriage to James later becomes an unhappy one as he begins to neglect her.
Mrs Luvovitz
Mrs Luvovitz is Materia's neighbor who comes to the aid of Materia when she begins to regret her marriage.
Kathleen
Kathleen is James and Materia's first daughter, whom Materia detests. She eventually dies in childbirth after getting pregnant in New York City.
Mercedes
James and Materia's second daughter.
Frances
James and Materia's third daughter. She later becomes an increasingly devout Catholic under the influence of Materia.
Lily
James and Materia's third daughter who dies shortly after birth.
Rose Lacroix
Rose is a black female pianist with whom Kathleen has an affair with during her time in New York.
