The Protagonist
The protagonist remains an enigma throughout the book. Neither his name nor where he comes from is revealed. He is unstable and is constantly questioning his existence and his identity as an immigrant. He fails to save his sister from an abusive and violent marriage. The guilt and pain of losing his sister lead him to attempt suicide. His attempted suicide gets him court mandated therapy sessions, as a consequence of which he meets many people who help him to come to terms with the loss of his sister.
Shohreh
Shohreh is a beautiful young woman from Iran. She was raped by Islamists in her own home land, Tehran. Shohreh had to get an abortion as a consequence of her rape. She comes to form a deep connection with the protagonist which eventually turns into a romantic relationship. When Shohreh tells him of her rape he is enraged and the two conspire to kill her rapist.
Reza
Reza is a Persian sitar player. He is a compulsive and narcissistic womanizer. He seduces women with pompous lies and his exotic looks. The protagonist does drugs with Reza and later works in the same restaurant that Reza plays the sitar in.
Faroud
The protagonist meets Faroud through Reza. Faroud is a gay Persian man who escaped torture and condemnation from his home country and came to Canada to find a new life in a place where he might be accepted.
The Professor
The Professor is from Lebanon and he is called 'the professor' because that was his occupation before he came to Canada. He represents the thousands of immigrants who cannot find jobs in these first world nations despite their advanced degrees and education and are forced to work minimal wage jobs. The Professor is unable to accept his reality and continues to live reminiscing the grandeur of his past days.
