Roya is an imaginative teenager in 1953 Tehran who loves literature and seeks quiet comfort in a local stationery shop. Though initially disinterested in her country's political turmoil, her perspective shifts when she falls deeply in love with a passionate activist. Later in life, she faces the difficult emotional terrain of immigrating to the United States, studying science in California, and building a new cultural identity.

Bahman is a charismatic, politically active young man in Tehran who fervently supports Prime Minister Mossadegh. Despite his intense involvement in the escalating national conflict, he possesses a tender, romantic disposition. He carries a heavy sense of responsibility toward his family, constantly working to pacify his emotionally volatile mother.

Walter is an easygoing, cheerful American man whose sunny demeanor contrasts sharply with the intensity of Roya's early life. He studies law and represents stability and assimilation into United States culture. With his predictable and gentle nature, he offers his wife a pathway forward in a new country.

Ali Fakhri runs a beloved local business in Tehran that serves as a sanctuary for young lovers and readers. He quietly facilitates clandestine romances by allowing patrons to hide letters inside his books. Carrying a burden of past regrets from his own youth, he acts as a mentor figure while attempting to balance his complicated personal history.

Badri is Bahman's mother, a woman who experiences severe emotional instability. She holds strict traditional views regarding class and marriage, aggressively pushing for her son to marry into wealth to elevate their family status. Her volatile moods significantly dictate the atmosphere of her household.

Zari is Roya's practical and observant younger sister. She serves as a grounding force in the family, frequently warning Roya about the dangers of becoming entangled with politically active boys. Zari is deeply loyal, accompanying her sister through major life transitions and remaining a lifelong confidante.

Maman is Roya and Zari's mother. She holds high hopes for her daughters' futures and eventually encourages them to study overseas in the United States to escape the local political turmoil in Iran.

Baba is Roya and Zari's father. He actively follows Iran's political shifts but prioritizes his daughters' safety and education above all else, actively supporting their academic ambitions overseas.

Mr. Aslan is Bahman's father. Subdued and largely passive, he steps back to let his son manage the intense emotional demands of his wife, rarely intervening in her schemes.

Jahangir is Bahman's fiercely loyal best friend. He shares Bahman's political convictions and consistently looks out for his physical safety during dangerous street protests.

Shahla is a young woman whose family holds elite connections to the king. She represents the traditional, wealthy match that Badri Aslan desperately desires for her son in order to elevate their social standing.

Patricia is Walter's sister. She adheres to strict American social expectations of the era and openly criticizes Roya's professional ambitions and cultural background, causing tension in the family.

Claire is a dedicated nurse who cares for the elderly residents at the care facility. Though she struggles with personal loneliness outside of work, she finds genuine meaning in listening to the rich life stories of her patients.

Omid is Bahman's adult son. He speaks with a Persian accent and operates a business specifically inspired by his father's cherished memories of a shop in Tehran.