A gifted classical violinist born in Hong Kong and raised in a wealthy, nationalist-leaning family in Shanghai. As a young boy, Haiwen is shy, introverted, and frequently targeted by neighborhood bullies, relying almost entirely on music to process his feelings. Driven by family loyalty and a sense of guilt, he gives up his musical dreams to take his older brother's place in the military draft. In the modern 2008 timeline, he is an elderly widower living in Los Angeles, grappling with memories of his displaced youth.

A curious and strong-willed woman who grows up in a working-class neighborhood in Shanghai. As a girl, she possesses a sharp tongue, fiercely defends Haiwen from bullies, and dreams of becoming a singer who travels the world. Societal expectations and geopolitical instability force her to adapt, burying her outspoken nature behind a submissive facade to survive as a refugee in Hong Kong. By 2008, she is a divorced mother living with her son's family in California.

Suchi's older sister, characterized by her outgoing nature, thriftiness, and impeccable fashion sense. She crafts her own clothing and jewelry from discarded items, eventually building a successful career as a fashion designer in New York. Aware of her lesbian identity from an early age, Sulan fiercely protects her independence and refuses to conform to the traditional marriage expectations forced upon women of her era.

Haiwen's mother, a beautiful and elegant woman who embodies the modern, cosmopolitan ideals of pre-war Shanghai. She sports a fashionable crimped bob, decorates her home with European clocks, and encourages her son to learn a Western instrument. Despite her wealth and modern sensibilities, she cares deeply for her children and worries about their safety during the civil unrest.

Suchi and Sulan's mother, known affectionately as M'ma. She is a highly traditional woman from a small village who remains proud of her bound feet, even though the practice has fallen out of fashion. She strictly enforces the rigid purity culture of her era, believing it is the only way to protect her daughters in a misogynistic society.

A wealthy, middle-aged businessman who frequents the seedy Hong Kong club where Suchi works as a waitress. He is aggressive and unrelenting in his pursuit of her, using his financial resources—specifically the ability to pay for Sulan's expensive medical care—to force Suchi into marriage.

Suchi and Sulan's father, who runs a local bookshop. He leans left politically and holds somewhat feminist ideals, encouraging Suchi's intelligence and telling her she is equal to the boys at school. However, his progressive views are limited, as he actively discourages her dreams of becoming a singer.

Haiwen's older brother, referred to affectionately as Dage. He recently returned from boarding school in Britain and has a wife who is expecting a child. When his father falls under political suspicion, Haiming is targeted by the nationalist military draft.

Haiwen's sister, who remains in Shanghai through the shifting regimes of the Chinese Civil War. She aligns herself with the Communist Party, making difficult survival decisions that prioritize her immediate household but create severe rifts with her siblings.

A Taiwanese woman who works at her family's food stand in Keelung. She meets Haiwen while he is stationed in Taiwan with the Nationalist Army. Despite the linguistic and cultural barriers between the locals and the occupying military, she treats him with kindness, eventually marrying him and raising two daughters.

Suchi's son, who grows up in Hong Kong before moving to the United States to attend the University of Southern California. He frequently clashes with his father's bigoted views and serves as a vital source of encouragement for his mother, urging her to stop acting as a martyr.

Samson's wife and the mother of Abigail. She provides a stable, welcoming home environment for Suchi in the United States and encourages her mother-in-law to reconnect with people from her past.

The young daughter of Samson and Ronnie. She represents the next generation of Suchi's family, raised in the safety and comfort of California.

A Japanese American woman who builds a long-term life with Sulan in New York City. While her heritage initially makes Suchi uncomfortable due to the lingering traumas of the Sino-Japanese War, Momo proves to be a steady and supportive presence.

A resident of the Coral Sunset retirement community and a mutual friend to both Haiwen and Suchi. A former forcibly conscripted soldier under Chiang Kai-shek, he enjoys telling tall tales about his military service and acts as an enthusiastic matchmaker.

A glamorous woman living in the Los Angeles retirement community. Winston attempts to set her up with Haiwen, but she is primarily focused on rehearsing musical duets with her friend Suchi.

Haiwen and Linyee's older daughter. She has built her own life on the East Coast but remains concerned about her aging father's isolation following her mother's death, frequently encouraging him to move closer to her family.

Haiwen and Linyee's younger daughter. She is highly attuned to her father's emotional state and understands his deep, unspoken grief, once encouraging him to play his violin to calm himself during a moment of distress.

One of Haiwen's army buddies stationed in Taiwan. He harbors deep bitterness over their forced conscription and works a dangerous construction job. Quick to anger, he frequently clashes with the local Taiwanese population out of frustration over his displacement.

Another of Haiwen's fellow soldiers in the Nationalist Army. Unlike Zenpo, Lau Fu manages to build a somewhat stable life for himself outside of the military following their deployment in Taiwan.

A fellow soldier in the Nationalist Army who cannot swim. His tragic death while attempting to steal a rowboat profoundly impacts his comrades and underscores the desperation of the displaced soldiers.

The landlady of the boarding house where the Zhang sisters stay as refugees. She employs Suchi as an assistant and works hard to care for her two daughters in the bustling, unpredictable city.

Haiwen's music conservatory instructor. He recognizes the anger and turmoil brewing inside his young student and pushes him to express those feelings through technically difficult musical pieces.

A former boarder of the Zhang family who rises to a leadership position within the Communist Party. He uses his newfound political authority to threaten Li'oe's life, demanding Sulan's hand in marriage in exchange for her father's safety.

Sulan's childhood friend in Shanghai. Their close relationship early in the novel hints at Sulan's sexuality and her disinterest in the local neighborhood boys.

One of Mrs. Chan's young daughters, whose illness prompts the boarding house residents to seek medical help in a nearby shantytown.

Mrs. Chan's other young daughter, who falls ill with the measles alongside her sister Shirley.