NOW
HELENE
MA: Helene’s elderly mother, the keeper of family legends, who travels with her to Bernalda, in the province of Matera.
DEAN: Helene’s firstborn.
PAULINA: Helene’s young daughter, also known as the Secret Weapon.
WENDELL: Helene’s husband, whom she leaves behind in New York City.
BEANSIE VENA: Helene’s career criminal grandfather, who tells the story of Vita to Ma.
ANGELO TATARANNO: Bernalda’s town historian, who helps search for the murder.
ANTONIO SALFI: Bernalda’s genealogist.
MARIA GALLITELLI: A neighbor and possible long-lost cousin.
MARIA NATALE: The kind downstairs neighbor, a widow who is best friends with Miserabila.
MISERABILA: The unhappy, unhelpful woman who lives around the corner.
LEONARDANTONIO GALLITELLI: Another possible relative and disgruntled neighbor.
CARLO LEVI: Physician and author of Christ Stopped at Eboli, Helene’s bible and guide.
LEO: Beach bar owner and distant cousin.
FRANCESCO: Local lawyer whom Leo enlists to help find the murder.
IMMA: Young Bernaldan writer hired as a researcher.
GIUSEPPE: Farmer from Marconia also hired as a researcher.
MIMMO AND VIRGINIA: Imma’s parents.
CARLA: Italian friend from Jersey City who introduces Helene to Giuseppe.
ANNA PARISI: Italian writer who knows the history of Bernalda.
EVARISTO: Policeman in Pisticci who helps with research.
THEN
VITA GALLITELLI: Helene’s great-great-grandmother, alleged murderess from Bernalda.
FRANCESCO VENA: Helene’s great-great-grandfather and alleged murderer.
TERESINA: Vita’s mother, a weaver from Bernalda.
DOMENICO: Vita’s father, a peasant farmer.
LEONARDO VENA: Helene’s great-grandfather and Vita’s son, who traveled to America with Vita as a boy.
VALENTE VENA: Leonardo’s brother and Vita’s eldest son, who also traveled to America.
LEONARDANTONIO GALLITELLI: Vita’s brother and Francesco’s friend.
CESARE LOMBROSO: Italian nineteenth-century doctor who studied physical traits of criminals.
GRIECO: The landowner.
FRANCESCO MIRALDI: Bricklayer and Francesco’s friend.
ROCCO: Vita’s firstborn son.
NUNZIA: Vita’s daughter.
ANTONIO CAMARDO: The deceased.