Rene is a disgraced French diplomat who considers himself plain, charmless, and historically unpopular. Stationed in Beijing, he struggles with feelings of inadequacy and a tendency to idealize women. His perspective shapes the narrative as he recounts the events that led to his incarceration, focusing on his obsession with finding a perfect romantic partner.

Song is a highly skilled performer in the Peking Opera who captures Rene's attention by playing the role of Madame Butterfly. Possessing a keen intellect and sharp understanding of Western cultural assumptions, Song challenges Rene's initial views before gradually becoming the focal point of his romantic obsession.

Chin is a strict, commanding authority figure within the Chinese Communist Party. Operating with rigid ideological beliefs, she enforces Chairman Mao's principles and views artistic professions with suspicion. She acts as an imposing force representing the state's demands.

Helga is Rene's wife and the daughter of an ambassador. She is a socialite who appreciates the elevated status that comes with being a diplomat's wife in Beijing. Her marriage to Rene is largely practical and increasingly strained by emotional distance and disagreements over global politics.

Renee is a visiting student specializing in Chinese language studies. Progressive and uninhibited, she contrasts sharply with the other women in Rene's life. She approaches relationships and sexuality with an open, analytical mindset that eventually makes Rene uncomfortable.

Marc is Rene's confident, charismatic, and historically adventurous friend from school. Within the narrative, he often functions as an extension of Rene's subconscious, appearing in dreams and memories to urge Rene toward infidelity and bolder choices regarding women.

Toulon is the French ambassador to China. He is a pragmatic diplomat who relies on intelligence to manage the complex political environment of the Cold War in Asia. He rewards officers who show initiative but is equally quick to assign blame when political strategies fail.