Christine is Bill Cosey’s granddaughter who struggles with the trauma of childhood events, including Cosey’s marriage to her friend Heed, and works toward taking charge of her life.

Bill Cosey is a central figure whose complex relationships influence all characters; the narrative unfolds through the perspectives of others, revealing various facets of his personality.

L., whose real name is Love, is a ghostly narrator who provides measured insights into the other characters, contrasting with their often biased perspectives.

Junior is a vulnerable but beautiful young woman with a troubled past, seeking safety and love, and whose presence disrupts the lives of the Cosey household members.

Romen is a teenage boy who undergoes a coming-of-age journey, grappling with peer pressure and moral decisions amidst his connection with Junior.

Sandler is a narrator and aligns as Bill Cosey’s foil, representing a positive form of masculinity as he navigates family dynamics with wisdom and integrity.

Vida is a minor narrator and Romen’s grandmother, who provides background on the Coseys and shows concern for her family's legacy.

May is Billy Boy’s wife, known for her devotion to Bill Cosey and her struggles with social class and family tensions.

Celestial is a striking and mysterious woman, viewed through other characters’ eyes, who leaves a profound impression without directly voicing her experiences.

Billy Boy is the son of Bill Cosey with a convenient marriage to May, tied closely to his father's influence.

Dark, or Danny Cosey, is Bill's father, known for his nickname and role as a police informant, whose shadow looms over Bill’s life decisions.

Theo is Romen’s peer and leader of a group symbolizing a destructive form of masculinity, presenting Romen with a significant moral choice.