Alice Sebold
The protagonist and author of the memoir, Alice is a college student at Syracuse University when she is raped by a stranger one morning in the park. The novel focuses on the incident and her recovery, as well as her contemplation about the tremendous impact it made on her life.
Gregory Madison
Gregory Madison was the rapist who assaulted Alice in a park near Syracuse University. He is an African-American male who has a very broad stature. In the book, Sebold chronicles how he is convicted of his crimes. Sebold noted his curious behavior; after doing the deed, he began to apologize to her and beg for her forgiveness, saying she was a "good girl".
Tess Gallagher
Alice's English professor whom she develops a close relationship with and confides the details of the rape with. Tess also accompanies Alice to court hearings and other legal proceedings. She is an accomplished writer in her own right, notable for winning two National Endowment Arts awards and many other awards.
Lila
Lila is Alice's friend and roommate. After Alice begins to persecute Gregory in court on rape charges, Lila is raped by assumedly one of his friends when he breaks into their room and rapes her on her own bed. The rapist asked about Alice by name. Lila decides eventually not to press charges, but she remains distressed by the event.
Alice's father
Alice's father is a headstrong, independent man who is one of Alice's main challengers throughout the book. He believes that she had the power to stop the rape from happening, and that she should not have let it occur.
