Mark Schluter
Mark is the protagonist of the novel. He is involved in a serious car accident at the beginning of the story. This results in him developing Capgras syndrome and believing that everyone around him is an imposter. Mark has lived in the same small Nebraska town for his entire life. He and his sister became very close while growing up. He enjoys driving his pickup truck, drinking beer, and playing video games. His illness leads him to become withdrawn, paranoid, and somewhat aggressive.
Karin Schluter
Karin is Mark's sister. She raised him as a child after it became clear their parents were neglectful. She drops everything to care for Mark after his accident and is extremely hurt and disturbed when he claims she is an imposter. She dislikes returning to Kearney, as it brings up many unpleasant memories of her upbringing and past romantic relationships. She reaches out to Weber to see if he can help Mark and remains with Mark throughout his recovery process.
Dr. Gerald Weber
Gerald Weber is a famous neurologist who Karin asks to help Mark. He views Mark's case with opportunistic hope, as he believes that writing about it might salvage his floundering career. He proves largely unable to help Mark and instead becomes caught up in an affair with the aide caring for Mark, Barbara.
Barbara Gillespie
Barbara is a nurse's aide who cares for Mark while he recovers in a rehabilitation facility. She is very mysterious and people have trouble figuring out what she is doing in Kearney. She eventually reveals that she was a journalist assigned to write about the Sandhill crane migration. She also says that she was the figure that Mark saw out on the road that night and that he inadvertently saved her life. For this reason, she stuck around Kearney to make sure that his condition improved, as she felt indebted to him.
Daniel Riegel
Daniel is Karin's ex-boyfriend and Mark's childhood friend. He is a devout environmentalist and vegan. He works at the crane preserve and tries to stop the construction of a housing development on the preserve. He and Mark drifted apart after Mark became concerned that Daniel had romantic feelings for him. He is described as being extremely calm and kind.
Robert Karsh
Robert Karsh is a real estate developer who was previously involved with Karin. He is portrayed as being charming and deceitful. Karin had cheated on Daniel with him in the past as she felt extremely attracted to him in spite of his dishonesty.
Duane Cain
Duane is Mark's childhood friend. Karin dislikes him a great deal. He is described as being aggressive and rude. He often bullies Mark and Tommy into doing what he wants. It is later revealed that he had been encouraging Mark to drag race his trucks with him, infuriating Karin, as it is incredibly dangerous.
Tommy Rupp
Tommy is also Mark's friend. He acts as Duane's sidekick, frequently backing up the things he insists on doing. He later enlists in the military.
Joan Schluter
Joan is Mark and Karin's mother. She has passed away by the time the events of the book occur. She is depicted as being an intensely devout Christian and a neglectful, cruel mother.
Cappy Schluter
Cappy is Mark and Karin's father. He is also dead by the time the novel begins. He was formerly a farmer but became involved in a number of fruitless get-rich-quick schemes. He is also said to be an alcoholic who was largely absent during their childhood.
