Emmeline is a 74-year-old woman living quietly in England with her dog. Feeling isolated, she joins a writing class where she recounts her youth on a Nova Scotia farm and the devastating loss of her brothers during World War I. She harbors a lifelong compulsion for stealing spoons from various places, an act connected to her search for emotional comfort.

Teddy is Emmeline's older brother and childhood hero. Growing up on the Darling farm, he protects Emmeline from their mother's harshness and teaches her that all living things deserve care. He enlists in World War I alongside their brother John, a decision that profoundly affects the entire family.

Vera is a small white dog that Emmeline rescues from a neglectful household. She possesses the extraordinary ability to communicate verbally with Emmeline. Vera offers pragmatic, sometimes cynical advice that balances Emmeline's emotional vulnerabilities.

Hettie is the matriarch of the Darling family on their rural Nova Scotia farm. She shows clear favoritism toward her four sons and frequently criticizes Emmeline's size and behavior. The outbreak of World War I and the enlistment of her sons causes her immense distress and hardens her demeanor.

Agatha is Daniel's wife and the rigid matriarch of her branch of the Darling family. She holds long-standing grudges and frequently interferes in the lives of her children. Her bitterness heavily influences the family dynamics in Nova Scotia.

Louise is Toby and Bev's daughter, representing the younger generation of the Darling family. She works as an artist and possesses a free-spirited, confident personality. Unburdened by the older generation's resentments, she brings a fresh perspective to the family farm.

Mrs. Tucker is a gruff but kind woman who runs a local restaurant. She immediately sees value in Emmeline's writing and defends her against the instructor's harsh criticisms. She provides Emmeline with a steady, pragmatic friendship outside the classroom.

Joyce organizes and leads the writing class at the local library. She is officious, rules-obsessed, and highly critical of her students. She frequently clashes with the class members over her strict, elitist approach to storytelling.

Meg is the daughter of Daniel and Agatha. She lives with her mother and is currently separated from her husband due to Agatha's constant interference in their marriage. Despite the difficult home environment, she maintains a kind and welcoming disposition.

Emily is Meg's 25-year-old daughter. She is chatty, energetic, and completely unbothered by the older generation's feuds. Currently pregnant and working in the back office of the hardware store, she eagerly facilitates Emmeline's reconnection with the Canadian relatives.

Theo is Toby and Bev's son. He struggles with anger, immaturity, and a tendency to sabotage his own opportunities. He harbors a nostalgic attachment to the family farm and resents outside interference in his life.

Albert is a young, aristocratic soldier who suffers blindness and paralysis from his wartime injuries. Initially withdrawn and bitter, he slowly responds to Emmeline's quiet, undemanding presence at his bedside. His wealthy family maintains strict expectations about his social status.

Prudence is a wealthy, self-made philanthropist who hires Emmeline as a professional companion. Having experienced childhood polio, she possesses a wise and worldly perspective on life. She treats Emmeline with respect and values her unique background and resilience.

Martin is Emmeline's older brother. He stays behind to work the family land in Nova Scotia while John and Teddy enlist. He eventually becomes the primary caretaker for their difficult mother, a role that hardens his attitude toward Emmeline.

Toby is Daniel and Agatha's son. He runs the family hardware business and carries much of his mother's bitterness. He resents outside interference and expects his son Theo to eventually take over the store, leading to frequent friction within the family.

Bev is Toby's wife. She is generally quiet and avoids conflict, serving as a calming presence against her husband's volatility. She is also a remarkably talented rug-hooking artist who captures idealized visions of the family homestead.

Daniel is one of Emmeline's older brothers. He marries Agatha and establishes his own branch of the family in Nova Scotia, passing away before the primary events of Emmeline's return.

John is Emmeline's older brother. He leaves the family farm in Nova Scotia to serve in World War I alongside his brother Teddy, a departure that shatters the family's peace.

Una is a forthright and supportive member of the memoir-writing group. She quickly aligns with Mrs. Tucker to defend Emmeline's storytelling abilities against the instructor's criticisms, forming the core of Emmeline's new social circle.

Dr. Marion is a compassionate local physician in Leigh-on-Sea. She takes over Emmeline's medical care for congestive heart failure, offering a manageable and empathetic treatment plan. She owns a corgi named Roo and quickly integrates into Emmeline's daily routines.

Jean is a dedicated nurse who tends to wounded soldiers during World War I. She meets Emmeline upon her arrival in England and provides crucial motherly care, offering her a place to stay and helping her process her immediate grief.

Edward is Albert's older brother. Unlike the rest of his aristocratic family, he demonstrates quiet decency and an understanding of the changing social world. He works in India and attempts to secure professional help for his traumatized brother.