Deming Guo
Deming Guo is born in America, but sent to live his mother’s ancestral Chinese home before he’s even a year old. He is raised there by his grandfather until the old man’s death whereupon he returns to live with his mother. Eventually, he is given up for adoption to white college professors Patrick and Kay Wilkinson and struggles to pursue an interest in music amidst conflicting cultural expectations and conventions while now living under the name Daniel Wilkinson.
Peilan Guo
Deming’s mother escapes from her mother’s Chinese village after becoming pregnant. Borrowing money from a loanshark, she makes her way to New York in search of an abortion, but fails. Upon her sudden disappearance, Deming assumes his mother has abandoned him, but in reality she has been apprehended by immigration services and detained for more than a year before finally being deported back to China.
Leon Zheng
Leon becomes Peilan’s boyfriend while she has assumed the name Polly. Although a tough, strong slaughterhouse employee, Leon is actually a gentle soul who looks out not just for Polly and Deming, but his sister Vivian. Although the relationship between them is troubled, he eventually he reconciles with Daniel by helping to find his lost mother.
Michael Chen
Michael is Vivian’s son and Deming’s close friend, growing up together with a relationship akin to being brothers. After Deming becomes Daniel, the two will attend Columbia together and once again share living space.
Roland Fuentes
Daniel’s best friend is Roland. They are brought together by their outcast status resulting from mixed cultural heritages: Roland has a white mother and Hispanic father. Music also unites them, but at the same time creates a chasm which can’t be filled. Daniel is not convinced of the authenticity of Roland’s commitment to music and as such their split can only be followed by reconciliation which no longer involves collaboration.
