Marie is a young mathematician living in Canada with her mother. She grows up trying to understand her Chinese heritage and the legacy of her father's past. She is a dedicated student who turns to numbers for stability while working to understand a profound sense of isolation. Her life shifts when a young woman from China arrives to stay with her family.

Jiang Kai is a talented, confident pianist who studies at the Shanghai Conservatory. He grew up in an impoverished rural village where he lost his family to famine, a tragedy that shapes his worldview. He possesses an extraordinary memory and a playful, virtuosic style that quickly draws the attention and affection of his peers.

Ai-Ming is an intelligent, observant young woman who moves into Marie's home in Canada. She grew up in China reading to her grandmother and observing her father's quiet struggles. She brings a wealth of family history and stories to Marie's household, forming a deep connection with the younger girl.

Big Mother Knife is the aggressive, imposing, and enchanting matriarch of her family. She possesses delicate hands, wrestler's shoulders, and a sonorous voice that she uses to make a living through a traveling musical act. She fiercely protects her relatives and serves as the primary storyteller for the next generation.

Sparrow is an exceptionally talented composer and musician with a shy, unassuming demeanor. He works tirelessly on his compositions, dedicating endless hours to the Shanghai Conservatory. He perceives himself as soft and inessential compared to his military father, channeling his passion entirely into music.

Swirl is a beautiful, resilient woman who endures significant hardship during the shifting political tides in China. She bonds with her husband over a shared fascination with a mysterious unfinished manuscript called The Book of Records.

Zhuli is a joyful, highly skilled violinist who relies on music as an emotional anchor. After being separated from her parents, she moves in with her extended family in Shanghai and joins the Conservatory. She defines her existence through her musical practice, often practicing to the point of total exhaustion.

Ma is Marie's strong, pragmatic mother who raises her daughter in Canada. She demonstrates immense loyalty and quickness to laughter, though she often struggles to express her emotions openly. She assumes the responsibility of collecting and preserving documents from her husband's past in China.

Ba Lute is a hefty, aggressive military veteran who places intense focus on revolutionary ideals. He expects his family to share his political dedication and frequently criticizes his son's musical ambitions in favor of practical contributions to the state.

Wen the Dreamer is a delicate, sensitive poet from a family burdened by historical debts. He courts his future wife by anonymously sending her excerpts of an illicit manuscript. He relies on literature and memory to sustain himself through periods of severe punishment.

Ling is a courageous former philosophy student who exudes confidence and elegance. She possesses an independent mind and a strong desire for personal freedom, traits she maintains even when government assignments force her to live apart from her family.

Yiwen is a passionate, politically active young woman living in Beijing. She refuses to accept the government's limitations on individual expression and actively participates in street protests. She encourages her peers to join the movement for social reform.

Da Shan is Sparrow's younger brother who becomes deeply involved with the Red Guard movement. He aligns himself with political shifts and expects his older brother to offer him protection when tensions rise.

Comrade Glass Eye is a resourceful survivor who creates glass eyes for locals. He meets Wen the Dreamer during a government-imposed famine, forging a bond based on mutual survival and shared suffering in rural camps.