Celaya is the youngest of seven children and the only daughter in the Reyes family. She acts as the narrator of the family's expansive history, documenting their lives as they travel back and forth between Chicago and Mexico City. As an observant child, she pays close attention to the cultural differences across borders and the tense dynamics between her relatives. Her storytelling provides a window into the generational struggles of the adults around her.

Inocencio is a romantic and somewhat impractical man who co-manages an upholstery business in Chicago. He is deeply devoted to his mother Soledad and frequently escapes into daydreams when domestic tensions rise. He views his upholstery work as a true craft, causing frequent disagreements with his brothers over the commercial direction of their shared business.

Zoila is the practical and resourceful mother of seven children. She constantly works to keep her family grounded, often clashing with her husband over his romantic ideals and tendency to stretch the truth. She feels suffocated by the unspoken tensions in the Reyes family and frequently fights with her mother-in-law over household control.

Soledad is the matriarch of the Reyes family. She is often referred to as the Awful Grandmother due to her sour temperament and harsh judgments of those outside her favor. She openly prefers her son Inocencio over her other children and frequently clashes with her daughter-in-law. Behind her abrasive exterior lies a deep personal history rooted in her early years in Mexico City, symbolized by an unfinished silk shawl.

Narciso is a veteran of the Mexican Revolution who adheres to traditional expectations of masculine toughness. He grows up in a privileged household in Mexico City before marrying Soledad. He frequently acts selfishly in his marriage by pursuing outside romantic diversions while demanding strict obedience at home.

Rafa is the oldest of the six Reyes brothers. During his childhood, he is briefly left behind in Mexico City to attend military school, enduring strict discipline away from his immediate family in Chicago.

Ito is one of Celaya's six older brothers. He travels back and forth with the family in their packed cars during their annual summer trips across the border.

Tikis is another of the older Reyes brothers. He participates fully in the rowdy, male-dominated atmosphere of the Reyes household while living in Chicago.

Toto is one of Celaya's older brothers. Despite his mother's intense efforts to keep her sons out of harm's way regarding the military draft, he eventually enlists in the army on his own volition.

Lolo is a member of the large cohort of Reyes brothers. He attends Catholic school in Chicago to appease his mother's desire for academic advancement.

Memo is the youngest of the six Reyes boys. Situated just above his sister Celaya in age, his name is a shortened version of Guillermo, reflecting the family's habit of using pet names.

Uncle Fat-Face is one of Inocencio's brothers and a partner in the family upholstery business in Chicago. He is pragmatic about his work, perfectly willing to use cheap and modern materials like vinyl if clients request them. He often travels back to Mexico City with a car full of American goods to sell.

Uncle Baby is the third Reyes brother involved in the Chicago upholstery business. He lives in a luxuriously decorated home full of overstuffed furniture, aspiring to a lifestyle that mimics movie stars. Like Uncle Fat-Face, he values profit over artistic integrity in his trade.

Aunty Light-Skin is a stylish and elegant secretary who dresses impeccably in clothes from high-end department stores. She suffers from her mother's harsh psychological treatment and feels alienated within the family home. She harbors her own history of forbidden romance, resulting in a daughter born outside of conventional marriage expectations.

Eleuterio is Narciso's father, an immigrant who fled his home country to avoid legal trouble. He plays the piano and feels alienated within his own wealthy household in Mexico City. After suffering a severe stroke that paralyzes half his body, he finds quiet solidarity with the family's young servant.

Regina is the formidable and enterprising mother of Narciso. She builds a small fortune for her family by stockpiling, trading, and smuggling goods during the Mexican Revolution. She is highly conscious of class distinctions and initially looks down on her son's romantic interest because of her humble origins.

Candelaria is an adolescent girl who works around the Reyes household in Mexico City. She has a sweet disposition and dreams of eventually becoming a television actress. Her distinct skin color fascinates Celaya, though other family members treat the young girl with unwarranted prejudice and keep her at a distance.

Exaltacion is a striking and eccentric medicine woman from the mountains. She famously balances live animals on her head while selling various regional goods to travelers. Fiercely independent and easily charmed by sweets, she views romance as a temporary diversion rather than a serious commitment.

Viviana is a loud and confident senior at the Catholic school Celaya attends in San Antonio. She dresses boldly, challenges the strict rules of the nuns, and dreams of moving to San Francisco to become a musician. Her vivacious personality helps bring her younger friend out of her shell.

Ernie is a polite and devoutly Catholic boy from San Antonio. He is somewhat awkward, given to telling corny jokes, and deeply attached to his religious values. He earns rare approval from Inocencio simply for being a well-behaved Mexican boy.

Aunty Licha is the wife of Uncle Fat-Face. She maintains a volatile and highly emotional relationship with her husband, occasionally threatening dramatic acts of self-harm when consumed by jealousy over his suspected infidelities.

Aunty Ninfa is the wife of Uncle Baby. Drawing on her Italian heritage, she furnishes their Chicago home with luxurious and overstuffed items, creating an environment that smells heavily of air conditioning and cigarettes.

Antonieta Araceli is the daughter of Aunty Light-Skin. Endearingly referred to by a pet name indicating she is chubby despite being very thin, she strictly guards her social boundaries. She harbors prejudices against the household maid and spreads rumors about her among the other children.

Sister Oh is a nun at the Catholic school Celaya attends in San Antonio. She frequently lectures the students on the dangers of sex and insists on an exaggerated pronunciation of her real name, Odilla.

Mars is a boastful business owner in San Antonio who served in the military alongside Inocencio. He acts as a landlord for Inocencio's upholstery shop and constantly brags about his local financial success.

Wenceslao is an elegantly dressed puppeteer and magician from Spain. He meets Inocencio in a holding tank after a chaotic mix-up and helps him join the army to escape legal trouble.