Mariam is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy businessman and his former housekeeper. Raised in a secluded shack outside Herat, she grows up keenly aware of her social stigma as a "harami." Despite her mother's harsh warnings about the world, Mariam yearns for acceptance and a place in her father's legitimate family. Her life changes drastically when she is sent to Kabul to marry a much older shoemaker.

Laila is the bright, turquoise-eyed daughter of a progressive former schoolteacher and his depressed wife. Growing up in a modernizing Kabul, she receives strong encouragement from her father to pursue her education and a career. Her youth is colored by her deep affection for her best friend and the growing political instability outside her door.

Rasheed is a broad-shouldered, middle-aged shoemaker living in the Deh-Mazang neighborhood of Kabul. He adheres strictly to conservative traditions, demanding that his household operates entirely on his terms. Haunted by the tragic loss of a son from a previous marriage, he is desperate to rebuild his lineage and enforce his authority.

Tariq is a carpenter's son who lost his leg to a landmine as a young child. He uses an artificial leg but refuses to let his disability slow him down or make him a target for pity. He is fiercely loyal, quick to defend his friends, and openly dismissive of the strict gender roles favored by more conservative elements of their society.

Nana is a former housekeeper whose life was derailed first by illness and then by an affair with her employer. She lives in a remote clearing, enduring harsh conditions and social exile. Bitter and deeply cynical about men, she relentlessly tries to prepare her daughter for a world she believes will only offer cruelty.

Jalil is a wealthy, influential man in Herat who owns a cinema and several shops. He has three legitimate wives and ten legitimate children, living a life of comfort and social standing. He attempts to balance his public reputation with his private guilt by paying weekly visits to the child he exiled to the outskirts of town.

Mullah Faizmullah is an elderly, gentle village tutor from Gul Daman. Unlike many others in Mariam's early life, he treats her with unconditional patience and respect. He recognizes her intelligence and tries to advocate for her education, serving as a steadying spiritual presence.

Hakim is a university-educated former high school teacher who lost his position during the Communist takeover. He possesses a gentle demeanor and an intellectual curiosity that he passes down to his daughter. He fundamentally believes in gender equality and envisions a future where Afghan women hold professional careers.

Fariba is a woman whose vibrant, energetic youth has given way to severe depressive episodes. Once a lively presence who commanded attention, she now spends her days confined to her bed, obsessed with the safety and glory of her two eldest sons fighting the Soviets. Her emotional withdrawal leaves a void in her household.

Aziza is Laila's bright, resilient daughter. Even as an infant, her calm demeanor and quiet perceptiveness bring a rare source of joy to her mother's strained circumstances. As she grows, she demonstrates a remarkable ability to find comfort and connection despite the severe hardships surrounding her family.

Zalmai is a young boy raised in Kabul during an era of extreme austerity. Despite the poverty outside his doors, he is lavished with gifts and attention inside the home. This uneven treatment makes him prone to mischief and defensive loyalty toward the man who spoils him.

Shanzai is a progressive schoolteacher who refuses to cover her head in the classroom. She actively supports the egalitarian ideals of the Communist regime and encourages her female students to study hard and embrace their opportunities.

Hasina is one of Laila's close childhood friends. She shares Laila's early teenage experiences and gossip before her family arranges for her to move to Lahore for marriage.

Giti is another of Laila's school friends in Kabul. Her life is abruptly cut short by a stray rocket, marking one of Laila's first direct experiences with the city's escalating guerrilla warfare.

Khadim is a neighborhood boy who bullies Laila, mocking her appearance and her family. His cruel behavior represents the everyday harassment young girls face on the streets of Kabul.

Abdul Sharif is a loquacious businessman who frequently travels between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He visits Laila while she is recovering from injuries to deliver a highly specific and devastating message about her friend.

Wakil is a young man with a seemingly kind face whom Laila attempts to hire to pose as a male escort for travel. His interactions with Laila reveal the severe risks women face when attempting to bypass the city's strict travel restrictions.

Ahmad is one of Laila's two older brothers. He leaves home to fight with the Mujahideen against the Communists, becoming an idealized martyr figure in his mother's mind.

Noor is Laila's other older brother, who also joins the Mujahideen forces. Like Ahmad, his physical absence dominates the emotional environment of their family home.