Mia is a young woman raised in the strict, cult-like Community in western Massachusetts. Her early discovery of a public library and Nathaniel Hawthorne's *The Scarlet Letter* opens her mind to life outside the farm's boundaries. She resents the community's harsh rules and secretly dreams of freedom for herself and her mother.

Ivy is Mia’s mother, who runs away from a wealthy Boston family as a pregnant teenager to join the Community. Initially seeking a safe harbor from her unsupportive parents and boyfriend, she marries Joel Davis. Her primary motivation is her deep maternal love for Mia, which forces her to carefully weigh the dangers of staying against the risks of attempting to leave.

Nathaniel is a 19th-century author living in Salem, Massachusetts. Sensitive and deeply imaginative, he frequently struggles with dark moods and the legacy of his ancestors' involvement in the Salem witch trials. He turns to writing and solitary walks in nature for solace, valuing the stories of the women he encounters over superficial romance.

Joel is the charismatic but deeply controlling leader of the Community. He uses his charm to draw vulnerable people in, offering them a supposed sanctuary while demanding absolute obedience to his strict interpretations of biblical law. He weaponizes the prohibition of literature and rigid punishments to maintain his authority over the residents.

Elizabeth is Nathaniel Hawthorne's highly intelligent and perceptive sister. Constrained by the societal expectations of the 19th century, she channels her brilliant mind into reading and quietly assisting her brother with his writing. She is intensely protective of Nathaniel and acutely aware of the limited options available to women of her era.

Kayla is Ivy’s teenage friend who accompanies her in running away to western Massachusetts. Carrying a large backpack and seeking refuge, she quickly becomes jealous of the attention Ivy receives from the Community's leader. Her experiences highlight the severe constraints and harsh judgments placed on young women within the isolated society.

Sarah is a gentle and perceptive librarian in the town near the Community. She notices Mia's curiosity and quietly teaches her how to borrow books properly without stealing them. She becomes a vital ally and a lifeline to the outside world, representing the freedom that literature and education can provide.

Constance is a librarian living in Concord, Massachusetts, and the romantic partner of Sarah Mott. She offers a safe haven and a fabricated background to help protect those fleeing oppressive situations. Compassionate and stabilizing, she forms a non-traditional family unit that values education and personal freedom.

Helen is the loyal maid to the affluent Jacob family. She serves as Ivy's primary emotional support during her adolescence, offering her a hidden key and a safety net when Ivy's own parents fail her. Helen represents maternal care and enduring loyalty outside of biological ties.

Ken is Ivy’s wealthy banker father living in Beacon Hill. Proud and concerned with appearances, his harsh physical and emotional reaction to his daughter's vulnerability drives her to run away. He attempts to find her but ultimately chooses to hide her whereabouts to avoid social scandal.

Mrs. Jacob is Ivy’s mother, living in a wealthy Boston suburb. More concerned with societal expectations than her daughter's well-being, she discusses forcing Ivy to give up her baby, which prompts Ivy's escape. She later struggles with severe grief following Ivy's disappearance.

Noah is a sophomore at Harvard and Ivy’s first teenage boyfriend. Afraid of losing his parents' financial support, he turns his back on Ivy when she needs him most, abandoning her to face the consequences of her pregnancy alone.

Louisa is Nathaniel and Elizabeth's sister. She helps care for the household and maintains a watchful eye over her brother alongside Elizabeth, demonstrating the close-knit nature of the Hawthorne family.

Robert is one of Nathaniel Hawthorne's uncles who helps financially support the fatherless family. Practical and grounded, he urges Nathaniel to give up writing in favor of a steady, reliable profession, and later takes him on a fishing trip to lift his spirits.

Richard is another of Nathaniel's practical uncles who values financial stability over artistic pursuits. He helps keep the Hawthorne family afloat while hoping to steer his nephew toward a conventional career.

Franklin is a college friend of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Popular and socially adept, he provides a lively contrast to Nathaniel's solitary, observant nature during their outings in the woods and taverns.

Carrie is the deceased first wife of Joel Davis. She originally owned the 200 acres of land that Joel inherited to build his Community, a decision that caused a permanent rift between Carrie and her surviving family.

Evangeline is a dedicated member of the Community who assists Joel with enforcing the farm's rigid rules, particularly those concerning the communal raising of children and the separation of mothers from their infants.

Tom is a newcomer to the Community who works alongside Mia at the local farmer's market. His unfamiliarity with her habits allows her the opportunity to slip away to the library unnoticed.