An unnamed, 38-year-old African American author traveling the country on a promotional tour for his highly successful new novel. He experiences a condition that causes severe memory gaps and makes him prone to intense, uncontrollable hallucinations. Rather than facing reality, he prefers the isolation of his imagination, casually dating and drinking to keep people at an emotional distance.

A young boy growing up in rural North Carolina who possesses incredibly dark skin, making him the target of frequent bullying. To protect him from a harsh society, his parents teach him how to slip into a state called "The Unseen," rendering him invisible. In the alternating narrative, he persistently follows the Narrator, asking to be acknowledged and heard.

Soot's father is a tall, very skinny man who works hard to provide a loving home. He is a former artist who stopped drawing after facing harsh discouragement, leaving him with deep insecurities about his appearance and identity. He harbors an intense anxiety about being watched by others, which drives him to teach his son the defensive art of invisibility.

A short, caring woman who approaches parenting with a heavy mixture of affection and constant worry. She collaborates with her husband to teach Soot how to disappear, believing this strategy will protect him from societal harm. She relies on routine and strict discipline to manage her overwhelming fears about her family's safety.

The Narrator's publicist is a tall, thin woman who consistently wears expensive designer clothing. She is highly professional, stoic, and almost constantly busy on her cell phone. Her primary focus is maximizing the Narrator's marketability, pushing him to engage with current events to boost book sales.

A woman the Narrator meets while on tour who works as a funeral director, a career she has been passionate about since childhood. Uninterested in his fame or his novel, she offers him a rare opportunity to interact as a normal person.

A remarkably handsome, fast-talking professional hired to prepare the Narrator for his promotional tour. Jack uses convoluted metaphors and rapid-fire references to coach him on constructing a highly curated public identity. He advises against writing about race, suggesting universal topics instead.

Soot's uncle is a large, dark-skinned man with a commanding presence. Unlike his sister and brother-in-law, who believe in hiding from danger, he believes in confronting it directly. He takes a harsh view of society and wants to prepare his nephew aggressively for the prejudice he will face.

William's father and Soot's grandfather, an elderly, sickly man living in a rural care facility. Though he is affectionate toward his grandson, he holds deeply internalized prejudices that previously ruined William's artistic aspirations.

An eighth-grade student and the son of a farmer, making him unusually muscular for his age. He leverages his lighter complexion and physical size to bully Soot, focusing his cruelty heavily on the darkness of Soot's skin.

An older East Asian man and retired Harvard graduate who drives a limousine to stay busy. He admires the Narrator's work but does not hesitate to call out his foolish behavior, urging him to use his platform responsibly.

Renny's wife, a hospitable woman who stays up late because she dislikes dreaming. She happily prepares food for her husband's unexpected guest and maintains a warm, grounded household.

A minister who provides spiritual comfort to his community during times of distress. He uses biblical stories to help his congregation process their pain and maintain faith.