Sufiya is a young woman who survives a severe childhood fever that leaves her with a permanent intellectual disability. Because her father openly resents her gender and her condition, she becomes an emotional sponge for her family's repressed guilt and anger. She physically manifests this absorbed embarrassment by glowing unnaturally hot to the touch.

Omar grows up entirely isolated from society, spending his youth exploring his grandfather's massive library and observing the town through a telescope. When he finally requests to leave his confinement, his guardians force him to promise that he will never experience embarrassment or guilt. He uses this lack of moral restraint to pursue his own desires, eventually studying medicine in Karachi.

Raza is a disciplined, traditional military officer who climbs the ranks during the formation of Pakistan. He is highly concerned with his public image and legacy, demanding perfection from those around him. His rigid expectations cause him to treat his firstborn daughter with open disdain while heavily favoring his second child.

Bilquis is the daughter of a cinema owner who loses her father and her home in a violent attack. She marries Raza Hyder and struggles under the immense pressure to provide him with a healthy son. She internalizes her failure to produce a male heir as a personal failing, leading her to emotionally distance herself from her intellectually disabled daughter.

Iskander is a charismatic, wealthy politician known for his indulgent lifestyle and public charm. He carefully cultivates an image as a champion of the common people while maintaining deep ties to the nation's elite class. He relies on his natural magnetism to advance his political ambitions, frequently clashing with the more rigid military establishment.

The narrator is an external observer who occasionally pauses the story to offer observations about the fictionalized setting of Peccavistan. He admits that his understanding of the region is based on brief visits and distant observation. He views his narrative as a modern fairy tale rather than a strict historical account.

Rani is a practical woman who marries into a wealthy and powerful family. Denied the traditional wedding she wanted because of political violence, she adapts to the chaotic environment of her household. She observes her husband's political maneuvers and public scandals while maintaining a close bond with her daughter.

Arjumand is the fiercely determined daughter of Iskander and Rani. Earning the nickname "Virgin Ironpants," she refuses to marry or wear traditional feminine clothing, choosing instead to focus entirely on her father's political career. She idolizes Iskander and views anyone who opposes him as a personal enemy.

Naveed is the favored daughter of the Hyder household. Unlike her older sister, she meets her parents' expectations and receives their undivided affection and approval. She is actively involved in the social maneuvering of her family, entering into an arranged engagement to secure political alliances.

Chunni is one of three reclusive sisters living in the Nishapur mansion. After an unexpected pregnancy, she and her sisters lock themselves away from society, sharing the burden of raising the child so evenly that no one knows which sister is the biological mother.

Munnee is part of the inseparable trio of sisters who retreat from the world to hide a family scandal. She participates in raising Omar as a collective unit, utilizing a mechanical dumbwaiter to interact with the outside world without ever showing her face.

Bunny is the third of the Shakil sisters. Like her siblings, she dedicates her life to hiding the truth about Omar's parentage from the townspeople of Q., raising him with a firm, unorthodox set of principles.

Haroun is the loud and arrogant son of Little Mir Harappa. He deliberately aggravates his father by openly idolizing Iskander, adopting the politician's mannerisms and boasting about his family's dark secrets to the press.

Little Mir is Iskander's cousin, a wealthy landowner who relies on intimidation to maintain control over his region. He harbors a bitter rivalry with Iskander and deeply resents his own son's admiration for the man.

Eduardo is a local teacher who recognizes Omar's intelligence and encourages him to study medicine. He eventually becomes entangled in a town scandal involving a young female student, forever altering his standing in the community.

Farah is the daughter of a local customs official. She attracts the attention of Omar, who uses his developing skills in hypnosis to manipulate her behavior, an event that eventually forces her to leave the community in disgrace.

Talvar is a highly respected police captain and star polo player. He possesses a strange clairvoyant ability that assists him in his police work, making him a valuable asset to the government and an attractive suitor.

Maulana Dawood is a local spiritual leader who provides counsel to political and military figures. He advises ambitious men on local allegiances and encourages the implementation of strict, conservative religious policies.

Shahbanou is a fiercely protective nursemaid employed by the Hyder household. She manages the daily care of Sufiya and carefully controls access to her charge's living quarters, maintaining a distinct domestic arrangement to keep the peace.

Mahmoud is a stubborn cinema owner whose business is targeted by violent protests during the partition era. He refuses to alter his business practices despite the rising political tensions in his community.

Babar is the second child born in the isolated Nishapur mansion. He grows up separated from his older brother, eventually becoming involved in radical political movements that put him at odds with the government.