The daughter of Boy and Arturo Whitman, Bird narrates part of the story. She is dark-skinned and faces assumptions about her parentage; she is precocious and aspires to be a journalist.

Snow is Arturo’s light-skinned daughter from his first marriage. She is adored by her grandparents but has a strained relationship with Boy.

Frank is Boy’s abusive father who had once been a promising psychology student and became a rat catcher. He is estranged from Boy and rejects her and Bird due to racial prejudice.

Charlie is Boy’s childhood sweetheart, a medical student when Boy leaves New York. They maintain infrequent contact, and he eventually marries and has children.

Known as Webster, she is Boy’s first friend in Flax Hill, focused on finding a husband. She introduces Boy to Arturo.

Arturo is Boy’s husband, a light-skinned African American who passes as white. He is a former history professor turned jewelry maker with a daughter, Snow, from his previous marriage.

Mia is an aspiring journalist and former student of Arturo's, who befriends Boy while working on a cruise boat and helps uncover Boy's family history.

Mrs. Fletcher runs the bookshop where Boy works; known for her wisdom and blunt nature. Originally from England, she moved to Flax Hill to be close to her late husband.

Three African-American teenagers who frequent the bookstore where Boy works. They are part of her life, with Sidonie becoming a teacher, Kazim an artist, and Phoebe a maid.

Arturo’s mother, a strict and ambitious woman committed to maintaining her family's facade of whiteness for their survival in America.

Arturo’s father, who shares his wife Olivia’s beliefs in doing what they see as necessary for their family's prosperity, but plays a less vocal role in the story.

Julia’s mother and Snow’s grandmother; a friend of Olivia’s. She is easier-going and treats Bird kindly.

Arturo's light-skinned sister, successful in her law career. She remains unmarried after her fiancé leaves her due to family heritage revelations.

Arturo's dark-skinned sister, sent away as a child to preserve the family's passing as white. She lives in Boston with her husband, John.

Clara’s husband, who runs a home school. He is intellectually inclined after spending time in prison as a young man.

Bird's best friend and intended future husband. His family is friends with the Whitmans, and he experiences racism in the community where they live.