1923
- Virginia Woolf;
- Leonard Woolf, Virginia's husband;
- Vanessa Bell, Virginia's sister.
- Nelly Boxall, Virginia and Leonard's cook.
- Julian, Quentin and Angelica, Vanessa's children.
1949
- Laura Brown;
- Dan Brown, Laura's husband;
- Richie Brown, Laura's son;
- Kitty, her neighbour.
- Mrs Latch, babysitter.
1999
- Clarissa Vaughan; a 52-year-old publisher.
- Sally, Clarissa's partner;
- Richard Brown, Clarissa's friend, Laura Brown's son;
- Louis Waters, Richard's former lover, friend of Richard and Clarissa;
- Julia Vaughan, Clarissa's daughter;
- Mary Krull, Julia's friend.