Julius is a 34-year-old psychiatry resident in his final year of fellowship in New York City. Born in Nigeria to a Nigerian father and a German mother, he spends his free time taking long walks through urban centers, observing art, architecture, and the daily lives of strangers. He uses these physical excursions to process his intellectual thoughts and personal memories. As an immigrant with a mixed heritage, he regularly examines his cultural identity relative to the diverse populations he encounters.

Saito is a retired English literature professor who taught at Maxwell College. Currently battling prostate cancer, he spends his days in his apartment surrounded by his extensive collection of books. He values his deep memorization of poetry, a skill he relied upon heavily during his time in a World War II prison camp.

Nadège is Julius's recent ex-girlfriend who has relocated to San Francisco. She is involved with a church group called the Welcomers, which visits detention facilities for undocumented immigrants. She occupies a significant space in Julius's memory through small details.

Moji is an investment banker from Nigeria and the sister of Julius's childhood friend Dayo. She reconnects with Julius after a chance encounter in New York City. She frequently shares her perspectives on environmental issues and the psychological toll of systemic racism, maintaining a firm belief that coincidences do not exist.

The Unnamed Friend is an Earth Sciences professor, a father, and a jazz enthusiast living in New York. He regularly discusses social issues, history, and mortality with Julius over beers. He approaches intellectual topics with a grounded, practical lens.

Lise-Anne is the girlfriend of Julius's Unnamed Friend. She brings a natural lightness to her interactions that balances her partner's seriousness. She actively participates in their intellectual debates about society and science.

Farouq is a Moroccan immigrant living in Brussels who manages a communications shop. He originally pursued an academic career in critical theory but shifted to translation after facing institutional prejudice. He reads widely and actively debates politics, literature, and the value of cultural differences.

Dr. Maillotte is a retired gastrointestinal surgeon from Belgium. Having grown up during World War II, she splits her time between Philadelphia and Europe. She readily shares stories of her medical career and views modern social conflicts through the lens of her own generation's historical trauma.

Julianna is Julius's mother, a woman of German descent who grew up carrying the trauma of World War II. Her rigid enforcement of household rules and her unhealed childhood experiences ultimately lead to a permanent rift between her and her son.

Julius's father was a Nigerian man who passed away when Julius was fourteen. His death prompts Julius's admission to a military school and serves as a significant marker in his son's scattered memories of his childhood.

Saidu is a Liberian immigrant who fled war and traveled across multiple countries to reach the United States. Upon arriving at JFK airport, he was immediately detained, and he shares the story of his grueling journey and current confinement with visitors.

Pierre is an immigrant from Haiti who works as a shoeshiner in New York. He shares his life story with his customers, detailing how he was enslaved by a household in New York before buying his freedom and eventually founding a school.

Dayo is Moji's brother and a former schoolmate of Julius. He survived a severe bus crash that killed most other passengers, an event that led people in his community to view him as exceptionally lucky.

John is Moji's boyfriend in New York. He maintains a polite but noticeably cool demeanor toward Julius when discussing plants on his apartment terrace during a social gathering.

Khalil is Farouq's friend who speaks primarily in French. He holds strong, controversial political opinions about American policy and the Middle East, challenging Julius's perspectives during their conversation.

Mary is the pregnant nurse-aide who assists Professor Saito during his battle with cancer. She manages his physical environment to ensure his comfort as his health declines.