Ruth Stone

Ruth Stone serves as the protagonist and the first-person narrator of the novel. Throughout much of the story, Ruth is portrayed as an awkward adolescent who finds solace in silence and reading. Her journey mirrors that of the biblical Ruth, as she initially follows her sister Lucille in pursuit of societal acceptance, subsequently shifting her allegiance to her aunt Sylvie in a quest for personal identity. Despite her passivity and introversion, Ruth possesses a keen observational acumen, enabling her to carefully contemplate her surroundings. Her narrative voice reflects a gradual detachment from the conventional world of Fingerbone, Idaho, as she becomes drawn to the transient lifestyle championed by Sylvie. Through recollection of the novel's events, Ruth constructs her own identity.

Lucille Stone

Lucille Stone, Ruth's younger sister, often assumes the role of leader, guiding her more reticent sibling. Unlike Ruth, Lucille is deeply invested in assimilating into societal norms and seeks validation through conformity. Initially, she attempts to engage with the unconventional housekeeping practices of their aunt Sylvie. However, as time progresses, Lucille loses hope that either Sylvie or Ruth will ever conform to traditional social mores. Lucille's discontent with a drifting lifestyle reflects her desire for stability and permanence.

Sylvie Foster Fisher

Sylvie Foster Fisher is the enigmatic aunt of Ruth and Lucille. She steps into the role of caretaker when Lily and Nona admit their inability to manage the responsibility. Sylvie grapples with her innate impulse to wander and travel aimlessly, making a commendable effort to create a home for her nieces. Ruth and Lucille initially know little about Sylvie, who reveals only that she remains married to Mr. Fisher and has chosen a life of satisfied transience. Her distinctive character is marked by a collection of odds and ends in her pockets and a general disregard for traditional child-rearing practices. Notably, Sylvie succeeds where others have failed—she remains with Ruth and Lucille until they are ready to move on.

Sylvia Foster

Sylvia Foster is the grandmother of Ruth and Lucille and the mother of Sylvie and Helen. Her identity is deeply intertwined with her role as a provider and homemaker, first for her daughters following the unexpected death of her husband, Edmund, and later for her granddaughters after their mother Helen's demise. Sylvia's sense of self is constructed through her familial relationships, encompassing roles as wife, widow, mother, and grandmother, with her homemaking abilities forming the core of her identity.

Helen Foster Stone

Helen Foster Stone is the mother of Ruth and Lucille and the sister of Sylvie. After being abandoned by her husband, Helen endures seven and a half years as a single, working mother in Seattle, Washington, withholding information about their father from her daughters. Ultimately, Helen returns to Fingerbone, entrusting her daughters to Sylvia's care before tragically driving a borrowed car into the lake, the same lake that had previously claimed her father in a bizarre train accident.

Lily Foster and Nona Foster

Lily Foster and Nona Foster, sisters-in-law to Sylvia Foster, attempt to care for Ruth and Lucille following Sylvia's death. However, they find themselves ill-equipped to meet the needs of the growing girls. Consequently, they invite Sylvie back to Fingerbone, hoping she will assume responsibility for the children's care.

Miss Royce

Miss Royce is a home economics teacher who eventually takes Lucille under her wing, offering her a chance to experience a more conventional lifestyle than what Sylvie can provide. Her intervention represents an opportunity for Lucille to embrace societal norms and establish a more grounded existence.