The 68-year-old retired British military man lives alone in Rose Lodge, his 17th-century family home in Edgecombe St. Mary. He holds firm beliefs in traditional manners, dignity, and family legacy. His quiet life centers around his prized pair of Churchill shotguns and the growing affection he holds for a local shopkeeper.

The 58-year-old widowed shopkeeper runs a small store in Edgecombe St. Mary, cherishing the independence the business affords her. Born in Cambridge to a mathematics professor, she has a deep appreciation for classical literature and speaks several languages. She faces constant pressure from her husband's family to retire and assume traditional domestic duties.

The Major's ambitious, city-dwelling son works as a vice president at Chelsea Equity Partners in London. He is highly invested in appearances, wealth, and career advancement, often prioritizing these over family consideration. His casual bigotry and focus on status frequently test his father's patience.

A devout 25-year-old man who assists his aunt, Mrs. Ali, at the village shop. He carries himself with a stiff, defensive posture, anticipating insults from the predominantly white village residents. He possesses strict notions of religious and familial duty, which often conflict with his personal desires.

The Major's younger brother whose sudden death opens the novel. He and the Major maintained a strained relationship over the inheritance of their father's prized Churchill shotguns.

Bertie's widow, whom the Major finds pretentious and overly focused on money. She intends to sell the valuable Churchill shotgun rather than honor the family tradition of reuniting the pair.

The daughter of Bertie and Marjorie. She supports her mother after Bertie's death and shares the intention to sell the family's Churchill shotguns for profit.

Roger's American girlfriend who searches for real estate in the English countryside. She initially strikes the Major as having poor manners by addressing him by his first name, but she eventually reveals a more fragile and mistreated side.

A young dance teacher of Indian descent who struggles to earn a living. She fiercely protects her young son, George, and refuses to quietly accept discriminatory treatment from local white residents.

Amina's energetic young boy. He frequently encounters unearned hostility from white village residents simply because of his ethnic appearance.

A wealthy, gaudy real estate developer from New Jersey who purchases the title of Laird of Loch Brae. He aims to buy the Major's prized shotguns and develop Lord Dagenham's rural estate into modern housing units.

An aristocrat and member of the local gentry whose large estate borders the Major's home. Facing steep taxes and low subsidies, he leases parts of his land and entertains wealthy investors to stay financially afloat.

Lord Dagenham's niece, whom the Major considers somewhat frumpy. She helps plan the golf club's annual dance and attracts Roger's romantic and social ambitions due to her aristocratic connections.

The controlling, busybody wife of the local vicar. She attempts to direct the civic life of Edgecombe St. Mary and scripts the culturally insensitive Mughal-themed dinner for the golf club.

The religious leader of Edgecombe St. Mary and Daisy's husband. He attempts to offer practical, if highly prejudiced, advice to the Major regarding the social difficulties of interracial and interfaith relationships.

An unmarried woman in the village whom Daisy and Alma try to set up with the Major. She proves to be sensible, intelligent, and eager for genuine passion rather than a convenient, tepid arrangement.

The Major's golfing friend. He maintains polite, superficial conversations to avoid emotional depth and helps announce the guests at the club's ill-fated themed dinner.

Alec's wife and a close associate of Daisy Green. She helps plan the golf club's holiday party and partakes in the village gossip regarding the Major's romantic interests.

The pragmatic businesswoman who runs the Taj Mahal Palace restaurant alongside her husband. She caters to white British tastes by serving traditional English dishes with a mild foreign flair.

The father-in-law of Najwa Rasool. He survived the violence of the Partition of India and Pakistan as a young child, an experience that heavily influences his reaction to the village's insensitive historical reenactment.

A local medical practitioner who attends the golf club dinner. He hopes to secure a membership at the restricted club and largely obeys the commands of his socially ambitious wife.

Dr. Khan's wife, Sadie, who eagerly seeks social acceptance among the white British villagers. She maintains a slightly tense relationship with Mrs. Ali and readily agrees to tokenizing requests from the country club.

Mrs. Khan's assistant and Amina's aunt. She is present during village events and ultimately becomes involved in the tense family dynamics surrounding Amina.

Jasmina's brother-in-law who expects to make all business decisions for his family. He discourages Jasmina from managing her own affairs and intercepts correspondence meant for her.

Dawid's mother and a stern matriarch steeped in strict, antiquated notions of family honor. She expects absolute compliance from the younger generations of the Ali family.

The Major's eccentric next-door neighbor. She closely monitors the surveyors in the nearby fields and organizes local protests against the proposed housing developments.

The Major's late wife, who passed away six years prior to the events of the story. She possessed a free spirit and frequently clashed with her husband over his rigid adherence to tradition and stewardship.

The Major and Bertie's deceased father. He served the British Army in India during Partition and bequeathed his prized pair of Churchill shotguns to his two sons.

The Major's current solicitor, whom the Major considers oily and overly ambitious. He handles Bertie's estate and informs the Major that Bertie left all personal effects to Marjorie without specifying the shotgun.

A widowed property owner renting a weekend cottage. She claims to be an unprejudiced lady of good breeding but freely admits to turning away prospective tenants based on their race, mistaking Mrs. Ali and Grace for intruders.

Jasmina's late husband of Pakistani descent, who passed away nearly two years before the story begins. He endured acts of vandalism and prejudice while running the village shop with his wife.

A friend of the Major who attends the annual dance. He insensitive teases the Major about bringing Mrs. Ali to the event.

Frank Ferguson's secretary who dresses as a member of the Bengal Lancers for the culturally insensitive Mughal-themed party.

The Major's former commanding officer who now resides in an assisted living facility with Alzheimer's. The Major frequently thinks of him when considering his own physical decline.