Frank Money
Frank is a young man, only 24 years of age, and already a veteran. Frank's service in the Korean War left him subject to intense emotions and PTSD. He often experiences spells of deep panic. In one such episode, he finds himself institutionalized but he knows he had to get out to get to his younger sister, Cee. Much of the novel is his grappling with his memories of what happened in Korea, the slow erosion of the relationship with a woman named Lily, and his complicated relationship with his hometown of Lotus. He rescues Cee and brings her back there, and starts to confront who he is and what he wants. By the end of the novel, he has experienced a degree of healing.
Ycidra "Cee" Money
Cee is Frank's sister. The two of them were extremely close growing up, especially as they really only had each other in the face of distant parents and a cruel grandmother. Frank protected her from the world as best he could, but when he left for Korea she fell in love with a louche young man who eventually abandoned her. She tries to get her life together when she takes a job at Dr. Scott's. She loves the work and the beautiful house at first, but the doctor begins experimenting on her for his studies on eugenics and fertility. She almost dies but Frank rescues her, and she is nursed back to health by the women of Lotus. Following this, Cee becomes physically and mentally stronger, learning to value herself and take care of herself.
Dr. Beauregard Scott
Dr. Scott is Cee's employer. She is initially impressed by his willingness to help women, especially poor women and Black women, but eventually he begins to conduct experiments on her in his research into "wombs." Looking at his bookshelf, she also sees that he is interested in something called "eugenics" and race, but does not know what it means.
Reverend John Locke
A solicitous and affable reverend who helps Frank out when he escapes from the institution. He gives Frank money, food, a place to sleep, and help figuring out the rest of his journey to rescue Cee.
Jean Locke
Reverend Locke's kind wife.
Mike and Stuff
Frank's two childhood best friends. They all signed up to fight in Korea, and the two of them died there.
Reverend Jesse Maynard
A contemptuous but helpful reverend to whom Locke sends Frank. Maynard gives Frank money and info on safe traveling.
Billy Watson
A friendly man whom Frank meets in Chicago at Booker's restaurant. He invites Frank to stay the night at his home and helps him shop the next day to buy clothes and shoes.
Luther
Frank and Cee's father. He works hard to support his family but is often distant from the children. He dies not long after Ida does, when Cee is a teenager.
Ida
Frank and Cee's mother. She works hard to support her family but is often distant from the children. She dies when Cee is a teenager.
Lenore
Frank and Cee's imposing and often cruel grandmother. Lenore married the widower Salem Money after her own husband died, and was starting to put together a comfortable enough life with him when his raggedy family showed up. She resented the disruption of her peace and often took it out on the children. In particular, she thought Cee was trouble and made the young girl's life miserable. In her older age, she suffered a minor stroke that left her words slurred, and the local women took care of her (even as they silently thought the stroke was just punishment for her years of meanness).
Salem
Frank and Cee's grandfather, married to his Lenore, his second wife. He isn't a bad man, but he prefers to avoid stress or trouble and spends most of his time with the other elderly men in town, playing games and reminiscing.
Lily
Frank's girlfriend before he leaves to rescue Cee. She is a talented seamstress, ambitious, and focused. Though she loves Frank, she has tired of his inability to help out with anything, to share her goal of being a homeowner, and to communicate in a thoughtful manner. She feels a sense of relief when he leaves, and looks forward to getting her apartment and her life in order once more.
Prince
Cee's good-for-nothing young husband who leaves her in Atlanta. He is handsome and smooth-talking and she falls for him instantly, but he is critical of her country clothes and ways, and eventually does not want to be married anymore and leaves.
Thelma
Cee's friend and upstairs neighbor in Atlanta. She is outspoken and opinionated but friendly. She gets Cee a job at Bobby's, and then points her toward the doctor's (not knowing what he really does).
Sarah
The Scotts' housekeeper, Sarah is friendly and welcoming to Cee and the two become like family. She has an inkling of some of the things the doctor does, but when she begins to see Cee getting sick, she realizes it is something series. Though she does not quit, she writes to Frank so he can rescue his sister.
Mrs. Scott
The doctor's wife. She is aloof, though not unfriendly, and remains mostly invisible to Cee outside of her hiring. She has, Sarah says, a laudanum problem.
Jackie
A young girl in Lotus who works for Lenore for a time.
Mrs. K
A Lotus hairdresser who often sleeps with teenage boys. The women of the town generally do not care about this because it means she is not going after their husbands, and she does excellent hair.
Miss Ethel Fordham
An older woman in Lotus who, along with other women in town, nursed Cee. She was full of tough love and sage advice, and brooked no protestation or weakness. As Cee healed she grew softer, instilling the girl with a sense of self.
