Sam Train is a large, kindhearted Black soldier in the 92nd Infantry Division from the American South. Often mocked for his physical size and lack of education, he possesses a deep intuitive empathy and strong religious devotion based on memorized Bible verses. He believes a marble statue head he carries grants him invisibility and divine protection. His gentle nature directs his actions, particularly his instinct to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

Angelo is a young Italian boy severely traumatized by the violence of war. Suffering from injuries and fractured memories, he copes by retreating into his imagination and conversing with an invisible friend. He finds physical and emotional safety in the arms of the American soldiers, particularly the large man who pulls him from the rubble.

Hector is a Puerto Rican soldier assigned to the segregated 92nd Division. Trained as a medic and able to speak Spanish, English, and Italian, he translates between the Americans and the locals. He struggles with severe exhaustion and traumatic memories of his impoverished childhood in San Juan, attempting to remain neutral in the frequent arguments between his squadmates.

Second Lieutenant Aubrey Stamps is a Black soldier from Virginia who deeply resents the systemic racism of the US Army. He frequently finds himself torn between his idealism and the pessimistic reality of his situation as a Black man in a white supremacist society. He feels a strong kinship with the displaced Italian civilians, viewing Europe as a place with less racial prejudice than his homeland.

Bishop is a cynical, self-professed atheist and former preacher from Kansas City. He was drafted into the war after a stint in prison and frequently uses his knowledge of religion to manipulate others for personal gain. He puts on a fiercely independent, self-interested facade and deeply distrusts the military chain of command, preferring his own survival instincts over official orders.

Rodolfo is an Italian partisan operating in the mountains around Bornacchi. He frequently travels with a trusted band of resistance fighters but harbors deep personal grievances following the death of his brother, Marco. He interacts with both the American military forces and the local villagers, managing the political loyalties of wartime Italy.

Peppi Grotto, widely known by the mythic persona "The Black Butterfly," is a Tuscan poet turned partisan resistance leader. He carries a large bounty on his head for his lethal retaliation against the SS. Despite his fearsome reputation and the violence of his daily life, he attempts to maintain a strict moral code and personal loyalty among his fighters.

Captain Nokes is a white officer in the segregated United States Army overseeing the 92nd Division. He consistently fails to provide adequate support to the Black soldiers under his command due to his deep-seated racism and personal cowardice. He prioritizes his own safety and career over the lives of his men.

Ludovico is an elderly resident of Bornacchi who hoards a secretly multiplying population of rabbits under his floorboards. He lives in constant fear that either his starving neighbors or the desperate German army will discover his hidden food supply. He holds conservative, traditional views but cares deeply for his family.

Renata is Ludovico's pragmatic and beautiful daughter. Living in the war-torn village of Bornacchi, she takes practical steps to survive, negotiating between the Americans, the partisans, and her own father. She seeks safety and stability, actively caring for the injured child brought by the soldiers.

Ettora is the respected village witch of Bornacchi. As a young woman, she rejected traditional marriage after a disagreement with Ludovico, choosing instead to study local lore and charms. She functions as a spiritual authority for the villagers, interpreting signs and offering protections against the surrounding violence.

Colonel Driscoll is a white American intelligence officer who recognizes the systemic failures and racism of the military command. While he feels sympathy for the under-supplied Black troops, his pragmatism and fear of causing administrative unrest prevent him from making meaningful interventions on their behalf.

Arturo is Angelo's imaginary friend, appearing to the boy as a strange gray figure. He provides companionship and guidance to the traumatized child, often advising him on who to trust and how to survive the terrifying environment of the war.

Tim Boyle is an American reporter who uncovers the missing head of a famous Florentine statue while covering a crime. His brief involvement brings international attention to a decades-old mystery before he moves on to other journalistic beats.

Birdsong is a Black lieutenant who speaks fluent Italian, making him a valuable asset to the intelligence division. He handles the difficult position of serving under incompetent white officers while trying to accurately transmit critical information about enemy movements.