Adelaide is a 31-year-old Black woman who flees her home to become a homesteader in early 20th-century Montana. Seeking isolation and anonymity, she travels with a massive, securely locked steamer trunk. She is tall, physically imposing from years of farm labor, and carries a profound sense of guilt over her family's past.

Grace is a homesteader and hopeful schoolteacher living nine miles away from Adelaide. The townspeople refuse to let their children associate with her, leaving her isolated with only her son to teach. She maintains a blunt, highly critical exterior that masks her desperate need for connection and safety.

Mrs. Reed is the wealthy and influential leader of the local women's organization, the Busy Bees. She acts as the unofficial greeter of Big Sandy, projecting a generous, maternal spirit. Beneath her warm, well-dressed exterior, she is highly manipulative and exerts strict control over the town's social hierarchy.

Elizabeth is a massive, terrifying entity with dark, leathery skin and a fierce hunger. Kept locked out of sight, she requires constant vigilance. She represents a heavy, physical burden that Adelaide refuses to abandon despite the danger.

Mrs. Mudge is a single mother traveling to a claim in Montana with her four boys. She carries an unsettling, intimidating presence and reacts aggressively to anyone who questions her family or causes them inconvenience.

Sam is Grace's young son and only student. He is an avid reader of newspaper clippings and highly observant of his surroundings. The townspeople actively shun him, making him a curious but socially isolated child.

Matthew is a 23-year-old worker on a local threshing crew. He is rugged, straightforward, and quickly charmed by Adelaide. He invites her to local dances and attempts to build a romantic connection with her on the desolate prairie.

Finn is Matthew's uncle and a fellow worker on the Montana prairie. He attends local social events and acts as a stabilizing presence for his younger relative.

Joab is the youngest of the Mudge boys. He shares a disturbing story with Adelaide early in their acquaintance, signaling his family's threatening nature and his own capacity for cold retaliation.

Delmus is one of Mrs. Mudge's older sons. He travels with his family to claim land in Montana and operates closely with his brothers under his mother's watchful eye.

Bertie is the only other Black woman homesteader near Big Sandy. She owns and operates a tavern called the Blind Pig out of her home, where she brews her own highly sought-after liquor. She is fiercely independent and protective of her private life.

Fiona is a Chinese American woman who provides laundry services for the local hotel. She frequently endures racist remarks from the townspeople but finds comfort and safety at the Blind Pig with Bertie.

Mr. Reed is Mrs. Reed's husband and a wealthy, powerful figure in Big Sandy. He proudly drives a newly purchased automobile and uses his money and status to enforce his will upon the community.

Mr. Olsen is a pragmatic wagon driver in Big Sandy. He transports Adelaide, the Mudges, and their luggage out to their claims, openly doubting the romanticized ideas newcomers hold about Montana.

Mr. Cole is an older Black man Adelaide hires to transport her to the port in San Pedro. He complains about the weight of her trunk and gossips freely about her family's strange reputation.

Glenville is Adelaide's deceased father. He raised his family on an isolated farm in California, spending evenings reading books aloud before meeting a violent and tragic end.

Eleanor is Adelaide's deceased mother. Her tragic death leaves Adelaide with deep guilt, and she occasionally appears to Adelaide as a haunting vision in the bitter Montana winds.

Fred is a reporter for the Bear Paw Mountaineer. He meets incoming trains to write about new residents but completely ignores Adelaide, assuming she is merely a hired servant.

Mrs. Sterling is the owner of a new, modern "power laundry" in Big Sandy. Her mechanized business is actively promoted by Mrs. Reed as a replacement for Fiona Wong's traditional services.

McNamara is a co-owner of Big Sandy's general store. He associates closely with Mr. Reed and acts as an enforcer for the town's rough justice system.

Marlow is the other co-owner of the general store in Big Sandy. He rides alongside McNamara and Mr. Reed to protect local interests and dole out vigilante justice.

George is the owner of the Grill Cafe diner in Big Sandy. He provides food to the townspeople and occasionally witnesses the fallout of late-night violence.

Mr. Cardinal is an Indigenous man from Canada who regularly rides across the border to trade supplies with locals. He provides critical information about the movements of the townspeople.