Khaled is an introspective Libyan expatriate who leaves his home in Benghazi at 18 to study literature in Edinburgh, eventually settling in London's Shepherd's Bush neighborhood. He is deeply affected by literature, particularly after hearing a mysterious short story broadcast on the radio as a boy. Caught between his childhood in Libya and his independent reality in the UK, Khaled is fiercely devoted to his friends while trying to reconcile his personal desires with the political turmoil of his homeland.

Hosam is a thoughtful, articulate Libyan writer and activist who is six years older than Khaled. Growing up in Benghazi, his family carries a complicated political history that forces him to adapt to shifting social loyalties. As the author of the haunting short story "The Given and the Taken," his writing profoundly impacts Khaled long before the two men finally cross paths in Paris and form an enduring bond.

Mustafa is an impassioned Libyan student who forms an immediate, unbreakable connection with Khaled during their university years. Having studied under Khaled's father in Benghazi, Mustafa serves as a vital physical link to their homeland. He holds strong political convictions and frequently encourages Khaled to engage more directly with their country's political resistance.

Rana is a fiercely loyal friend who provides a crucial support system for Khaled during his transition to life in the UK. She shares an intuitive emotional understanding with him, offering her family's London flat as a safe haven when he faces severe trauma. She values trust immensely and later relies on Khaled during her own profound medical crisis.

Kamal is Khaled's father, an intellectual and historian with a deep passion for the political history of the Arab World. He works as a middle school teacher to disguise his true political affiliations from the Qaddafi regime. He acts as a positive guiding force for his son, inspiring Khaled's lifelong love of literature.

Professor Walbrook is an intelligent and generous English Literature professor at the University of Edinburgh. Beyond his academic role, he acts as a compassionate mentor and pseudo-father figure to Khaled. He offers practical advice and unwavering support, helping Khaled manage work, education, and his new life in London.

Hannah is a kind, gentle, and understanding woman who becomes Khaled's first significant romantic partner in London. She provides him with a sense of comfort and intimacy, becoming the first person outside of his immediate trusted circle to whom he confides his physical and emotional scars. She longs for a deeper connection but occasionally feels frustrated by Khaled's emotional distance.

Malak is a smart, beautiful woman who grows up in Hosam's family home in Benghazi after her mother passes away. She serves as a powerful physical and emotional connection to Libya for Hosam, grounding him in his homeland and inspiring his deepest loyalties.

Claire is an Irish woman living in London who works for a charity that aids asylum seekers. She shares a long-standing romantic connection with Hosam and quickly integrates into Khaled's close-knit circle of expatriate friends.

Mohammed is a London-based reporter working for the BBC Arabic World Service. As an outspoken journalist covering North African affairs, his work profoundly impacts the Abd al Hady family and establishes a backdrop of resistance in the story.

Rachel is a diligent nurse who provides critical medical and emotional care for Khaled during his recovery. She helps protect his true identity by addressing him with a protective pseudonym during his highly vulnerable hospital stay.

Souad is Khaled's sister, who remains in Benghazi with their parents. She shares her family's enchantment with literature and remains an important lifeline for Khaled, communicating with him online as unrest begins to build in their home country.

Seham is a friend of Rana who joins a group vacation to the Costa Brava. She shares a brief, liberating romantic connection with Khaled on the beach, helping him feel a sense of belonging and openness to life following a period of intense trauma.

Osama is Khaled's maternal uncle. He is an emotional family member who encourages Khaled to persevere in his life abroad, unknowingly accepting the fabricated stories Khaled creates to protect his family from political danger.