Jaya is a modern-day journalist living in New York who recently suffered her third consecutive miscarriage. The intense grief from these losses creates a deep communication barrier in her marriage to Patrick, ultimately leading to their separation. Seeking a distraction and hoping to understand the extended family her mother never speaks about, Jaya travels to her family's ancestral village in India. There, she begins uncovering a hidden history that challenges her perspectives on freedom and choice.

Amisha is a young woman living in colonial India during the 1930s. Entering an arranged marriage with a wealthy mill owner, she initially struggles to adapt to the subservient role expected of a Hindu wife. She possesses a deep passion for storytelling and writing, which sets her apart from traditional village expectations. When a British school opens nearby, Amisha determines to learn English, leading her to form a dangerous connection with the school's headmaster while attempting to balance her creative ambitions with her duties as a mother.

Ravi is born into the Dalit caste, identifying him as an Untouchable within the local social hierarchy. Despite the intense prejudice directed at him, he secures a position as Amisha's personal servant. His sharp mind and loyal nature quickly make him Amisha's most trusted confidant. Decades later, he serves as the sole keeper of Amisha's history, fulfilling a lifelong duty by passing her story down to Jaya.

Stephen is a British lieutenant stationed in India who serves as the head of the new English school. Sent to India by his father to keep him off the front lines of World War II, he holds complicated views on British colonialism. He offers to privately tutor Amisha in English in exchange for her teaching a creative writing class, leading to an intense emotional bond that challenges his sense of duty.

Lena is Jaya's mother and Amisha's daughter. Raised in India under difficult circumstances, she immigrated to America and steadfastly refuses to discuss her past or ever return to her homeland. She approaches motherhood as a series of physical duties, cooking and providing for Jaya while keeping a severe emotional distance that leaves her daughter feeling isolated.

Patrick is Jaya's husband of eight years. Following Jaya's miscarriages, he tries to maintain his strength but finds himself unable to break through her resulting depression. He handles his grief by seeking open communication, which sharply contrasts with Jaya's withdrawal. Frustrated by their inability to connect, he moves into a separate apartment.

Deepak is Amisha's husband and the wealthy owner of the local mill. At nineteen, he marries fifteen-year-old Amisha and expects her to conform perfectly to the traditional roles of a village wife. He frequently travels for his growing business and prioritizes his social standing and reputation above all else, making him suspicious of Amisha's independent nature.

Chara is Deepak's mother. She holds a position of power in the household and initially treats Amisha with harshness, reminding the young bride of her lower social stature. Over time, as Amisha bears children, the two women develop a slightly warmer understanding based on their shared experiences of womanhood in a restrictive society.

Neema is a fifteen-year-old girl attending the British school because her future husband desires an educated wife. She possesses a strong creative voice and uses Amisha's writing assignments to express her deep despair over her impending arranged marriage, viewing it as a trap that will end her freedom.

Jay is one of Amisha and Deepak's sons. Raised in a patriarchal environment, he absorbs the gender norms of his village. When Amisha attempts to teach him about gender equality through a story, he repeats it at his school and receives physical punishment from his teacher.

Paresh is one of Amisha and Deepak's sons, and Lena's brother. Decades after their childhood, he reaches out to Lena to inform her that their father is nearing the end of his life, prompting Jaya's journey to India.

Janna is Deepak's sister. She has a keen interest in community affairs and gossip, often walking a fine line between playful behavior and causing social mischief for those around her.

Omi is a woman from a wealthy family who becomes Deepak's second wife. Believing infant Lena to be cursed because of the lunar cycle she was born under, Omi treats the child with severe resentment and physical cruelty.

Amit is Ravi's great-grandson. He harbors secret dreams of becoming a doctor, but realistically jokes that he will become a journalist instead, knowing that his social caste makes a medical career nearly impossible in his village.

Misha is Ravi's great-granddaughter. She lives with polio and must wear braces on her legs and torso to assist her walking. Despite her physical challenges, she maintains a positive spirit and dreams of becoming a teacher.

Sujata is a village woman and friend to Amisha. She is highly skeptical of the British presence in their town, believing the colonizers use education merely as a tool to disparage Indian culture. She openly mocks Amisha's interest in the English soldiers.

Vikram is a wealthy local officer who maintains a close, cooperative relationship with the British Raj. His approval allows the English school to open, and he uses his influence to ensure that local men appease the British authorities during social gatherings.

Miss Roberts is an Englishwoman serving as the head teacher at the new British school. She represents the rigid, formal educational standards of the colonizers and approaches Amisha's non-traditional teaching methods with deep skepticism.

Stacey is a college friend of Jaya's. During Jaya and Patrick's separation, Patrick begins casually seeing Stacey because he finds her willing to talk and listen to his grief, providing the communication he lacks in his marriage.

Bina is Ravi's sister. Due to her Untouchable status, securing safe and steady work is difficult, but Amisha hires the young girl full time as a favor to Ravi, bringing her into the daily operations of the household.

Mona is an educated young woman who returns to India after earning a business degree at the University of Chicago. She operates a successful guided tour business, representing a modern, independent Indian woman who utilizes Western education to build opportunities in her homeland.