The unnamed narrator
This novel is a bildungsroman from the perspective of a young, unnamed protagonist, who grows up in a family with two older brothers. His family life is generally unhappy, and this is compounded by the fact that he is gay and is unable to talk about it.
Manny and Joel
Manny and Joel are the narrator’s older brothers. From a young age, the narrator is aware that he is different from his older brothers, who are much more assertive and aggressive.
The narrator’s mother
The narrator’s mother is depicted as being deeply unhappy, and suffers abuse at the hands of her husband and later her sons. The family struggles financially, and the mother hopes for a better life.
The narrator’s father
The narrator’s father is presented as being aggressive and abusive. He makes their home life incredibly difficult, and his behavior negatively impacts his children.
