George is a forty-five-year-old insurance salesman living on Ellesmere Road in the London suburbs. A veteran of World War I, he struggles with a pervasive dissatisfaction regarding modern suburban life and suffers from constant anxiety about impending bombings. He frequently retreats into nostalgic memories of his childhood in the small town of Lower Binfield, seeking comfort in a past he views as more authentic.

Hilda is George's thirty-nine-year-old wife, who comes from an impoverished but proud military family with ties to British India. She manages the household budget with intense anxiety, constantly worrying about the price of goods and utility bills. She remains active in local clubs and causes, though George frequently views her interests uncharitably.

Elsie is a woman from George's hometown of Lower Binfield who serves as his first romantic partner. In his memories, she possesses a yielding disposition and milky-white skin. She represents a significant period in George's transition from boyhood to adulthood before he leaves for the army.

Porteous is a retired, unmarried schoolmaster who lives surrounded by classical books and poetry. He harbors a deep reverence for the ancient world, completely ignoring modern political crises and dismissing foreign dictators as irrelevant. His quiet home provides a brief intellectual retreat for George.

Joe is George's older brother, who spends his childhood leading a group called the Black Hand. He is adventurous and unruly, introducing George to outdoor activities like fishing before eventually stealing money and running away from home.

Lorna is the eleven-year-old daughter of George and Hilda Bowling. She lives with her family in the London suburbs and occasionally acts as a source of annoyance to her father.

Billy is the seven-year-old son of George and Hilda Bowling. He grows up in a cramped house on Ellesmere Road with his parents and older sister.

Mrs. Wheeler is one of Hilda's closest friends in the suburbs. She holds critical views toward men and involves herself in modern social causes and local activities, a trait George views with irritation.

Miss Minns is a friend of Hilda Bowling who frequently discusses modern progress and the women's movement. She attends lectures and local meetings to improve her mind.

Mellors is an insurance salesman who works with George. He places great faith in applying astrology to horse racing and persistently pesters George into joining a betting pool.

Katie is a young woman who serves as a babysitter for George during his early years in Lower Binfield. The harsh living conditions of her era cause her to age prematurely.

Grimmett is a grocer in Lower Binfield who employs teenage George after the Bowling family shop begins to fail. His business provides George with a sense of purpose and relative wealth during his youth.

Sir Joseph Cheam is a former military commanding officer who encounters George by chance after World War I. He writes a recommendation that secures George his long-term career in the insurance industry.