Kerewin Holmes– Kerewin is a reclusive artist who is running away from her past. She is a formerly gifted painter who has lost the feel for her art since winning a massive lottery and falling out with her family. At the beginning of the novel she feels that she has lost direction in her life and wants all otherpeople to leave her alone. However, after becoming involved with Simon and Joe, she learns to heal her life.
Joe Gillayley– Joe is Simon's adoptive father. He is down to earth and spiritual at the same time, but his alcoholism clouds his judgement, particularly in his raising of Simon. Joe seems to both love and respect Kerewin, but also to compete with her. He is deeply scarred by his wife's death.
Simon P. Gillayley– Simon is a mute, precocious child with an immense interest in details of the world around him. Simon has a deep attachment to both Joe and Kerewin, but he shows his love in odd ways. He exhibits a disregard for personal property. He is isolated from others by his inability to speak, and others mistake his muteness for stupidity. Simon secretly calls himself Clare or Claro. His life before meeting Joe is never satisfactorily explained. It is hinted that he was abused before meeting Joe – Joe refers to seeing strange marks on Simon even before he left his own. Simon also reacts in strong negative ways to irrational things, such as needles, having his hair cut, or hearing the French language spoken. (It's likely that his birth father was a dissolute Irish heroin addict who was involved in drug smuggling.)
You'll need to sign up to view the entire study guide.
