Addy is an engineer and classical composer who moved from Poland to France to pursue his career in music. Accustomed to a carefree life in Parisian clubs, he becomes increasingly anxious as the threat of war escalates, trapping him in Western Europe away from his relatives. He possesses a talent for fixing electrical devices and relies on music to maintain a connection to his heritage.

Genek is a lawyer and the eldest son of the Kurc family. He is a charismatic, confident individual who initially downplays the threat of a German invasion. His frustration grows when his law firm demotes him simply because of his Jewish heritage, challenging his strong sense of Polish identity and forcing him to confront the changing reality of his country.

Mila is a college-educated musician and the eldest daughter of the Kurc family. She begins the story as an overwhelmed new mother who relies heavily on her maid and her parents to care for her baby. She defers to her husband in most matters but finds herself forced to adapt and develop severe self-reliance when the conflict separates her from her support system.

Halina is the youngest Kurc sibling, characterized by her fierce independence and rebellious streak. She works as an assistant in her brother-in-law's medical laboratory. Accustomed to a privileged, comfortable life, she faces physical hardship for the first time when occupying forces assign her to perform manual labor in a beet field.

Jakob is a gentle law student and the youngest son of the Kurc family. He prefers taking photographs over socializing and plans to marry his longtime girlfriend, Bella, once he finishes his education. The sudden outbreak of war disrupts his careful life plans and forces him to adopt a more proactive, protective role to survive.

Bella is a young woman deeply devoted to her parents, her sister, and her boyfriend, Jakob. When Jakob leaves Radom following the military mobilization, she faces a difficult separation. She must quickly gather the courage to undertake a hazardous journey across occupied territory to reunite with him in Lvov.

Nechuma is the matriarch of the Kurc family. Having survived the hardships of the Great War by hiding in a basement, she is fiercely protective of the successful, upper-middle-class life she and her husband have built. She initially refuses to believe that such severe deprivations could return to threaten her children.

Sol is the jovial and devout patriarch of the Kurc family. He operates a successful fabric business in Radom alongside his wife, working hard to insulate his five children from the historical persecution of Jews in Poland. He serves as a steady, optimistic presence during the family's trials.

Felicia is the infant daughter of Mila and Selim. She is only five months old when the German forces invade Poland. As she grows during the conflict, she experiences a childhood marked by separation, fear, and hiding, relying entirely on her mother's desperate measures to keep her secure.

Herta is Genek's pragmatic and cautious wife. She initially hesitates to start a family due to the uncertain political climate in Europe. When Soviet authorities arrest Genek in Lvov, she insists on staying by his side, ultimately facing severe deprivations and forced labor in exile.

Adam is a medical student who rents a room from the Kurc family in Radom. He is a quiet young man who holds deep feelings for Halina. Following the outbreak of the war, he relocates to Lvov and utilizes his meticulous attention to detail to aid the resistance through document forgery.

Eliska is a wealthy Czechoslovakian woman who flees Europe as a refugee. She forms a quick romantic connection with Addy during their voyage to South America. She prefers to focus on present happiness and future plans, showing reluctance to discuss the grim realities occurring back in Europe.

Caroline is an American woman from South Carolina working at an embassy in Brazil. She possesses an open, sympathetic nature that makes others feel comfortable. Her understanding of family ties allows her to form a meaningful connection with European refugees seeking news from their homeland.

Selim is Mila's husband and a doctor who runs a medical laboratory in Radom. When the war begins, he mobilizes with the Polish Army alongside his brothers-in-law. His subsequent disappearance during the swift defeat of the Polish forces leaves his young family vulnerable in German-occupied territory.

Franka is a cousin to the Kurc siblings. She insists on accompanying Halina on a dangerous river crossing to reach Lvov. She uses her natural charm to help them evade Soviet soldiers along the border, proving herself a capable travel companion under stressful conditions.

Anna is Bella's sister who resides in Lvov. She shares a close bond with Bella, and the two sisters envision a future where they live near each other and raise their children together. Her presence in Lvov serves as a primary reason for Bella to make the dangerous journey out of Radom.

Dorota is a maid employed by Mila in Radom. She serves as a crucial lifeline for Mila in the early days of the occupation, running errands and helping care for baby Felicia. Her sudden departure forces Mila to confront the reality of fending for herself in a deteriorating city.