Elise is an American-born wood sculptor living in Paris as the wife of a famous painter. She balances the challenges of impending motherhood with the looming threat of World War II. Fiercely protective, she uses her creative talents to process her anxieties, often carving intricate pieces inspired by her daily life.

Juliette is an American expatriate who runs an English-language bookshop, La Librairie des Rêves, in Paris with her husband. Already a mother to two young boys, she is pregnant with her fourth child and carries the quiet grief of having lost an infant daughter. She is warm and generous, prioritizing her family's safety above all else.

Olivier is a successful French painter who originally met Elise in New York. He is a communist who becomes involved in political circles and the French Resistance as the war begins. His commitment to his political ideals causes friction with his wife's desires for their family's safety.

Paul is Juliette's husband and the co-owner of La Librairie des Rêves. A veteran of the First World War, he carries unspoken trauma from his service but provides a sturdy, loving presence for his family. He serves as a grounded counterweight to his wife's anxieties and supports her charitable efforts.

Ruth is a Jewish widow who emigrated from Germany to Paris with her two young children, hoping to escape persecution. Living in poverty, she understands the true danger of the Nazi regime better than her American friends. She is pragmatic and willing to make agonizing sacrifices to ensure her children's survival.

Mathilde is the infant daughter of Elise and Olivier. She is a sweet-tempered child who grows up in a Paris shadowed by war and occupation. She frequently serves as the inspiration and model for her mother's wood carvings.

Lucie is the youngest child of the Foulon family, born into a loving household in occupied Paris. She is heavily protected by her parents, particularly her mother, who views her birth as a fragile blessing after a previous loss.

Claude is one of Juliette and Paul's young sons. He is observant enough to pick up on the adults' anxieties regarding the approaching conflict, despite his parents' best efforts to shield him.

Alphonse is another of Juliette and Paul's young sons, growing up in the warm environment of the family bookshop. He partakes in the family's drills and stories as they prepare for the realities of wartime Paris.

Antoinette is Juliette and Paul's deceased infant daughter. Though she died before the events of the novel, her memory heavily dictates her parents' actions, particularly Juliette's intense drive to protect her surviving children and pregnant friends.

George is Ruth's young son, a Jewish refugee from Germany living in Paris. He and his sister face the terrifying reality of the Nazi advance, forcing his mother to make desperate plans for his concealment.

Suzanne is the daughter of Ruth Levy. As a young Jewish girl who has already fled persecution once, her safety becomes the driving force behind her mother's most difficult decisions in occupied Paris.

Constance Bouet is a gallery owner in Paris who represents Olivier LeClair's artwork. He holds influence in the Parisian art scene and acts as an intermediary when Olivier's political activities draw dangerous attention.

Pere Clement is a local priest in the quiet southern village of Aurignon. He is deeply involved in a clandestine network to protect vulnerable individuals, risking his own life to facilitate their safety.

Madame Roche is a resident of Aurignon who actively participates in the underground resistance. She opens her home to shelter Jewish children who are being smuggled through the town to safety.

Bernard is a stoic field-hand who works for Madame Roche. He plays a crucial logistical role in the underground network, transporting supplies and individuals safely through the dangerous countryside.

Vasseur is an associate of Constance Bouet. He manages practical affairs for the gallery and holds the keys to the LeClair apartment, occasionally acting as a cautious intermediary for returning refugees.

Arthur is a wealthy widower living in New York. He is a pragmatic and financially secure man who provides funding for various commercial ventures, prioritizing companionship and stability over intense passion.

Tommy is an Italian American young man who encourages artistic pursuits in those around him. He is easygoing, occasionally struggles with academics, and works practical jobs to support himself.

Jack Fitzgerald is a New York gallery owner whose business is funded by Constance Bouet. He is passionate about fostering new artistic talent and offers cheap studio space to up-and-coming painters, though he is naive about the true origins of his financial backing.