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Lily Owens
The novel’s teenage protagonist and narrator. Isolated and insecure, Lily eventually grows into a loved and loving young woman, aided by her newfound mother figures.
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August Boatwright
A middle-aged Black beekeeper who welcomes Lily into her home. By selling honey, she supports herself and sisters, as well as Lily and Rosaleen, once they come to stay at her house. August created an alternate religion for herself and her friends based around a statue of a Black Mary that has been passed through generations of her family. She teaches Lily about this religion and spirituality in general, as well as about beekeeping and love.
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Rosaleen Daise
Lily’s nanny, first friend, and companion on the journey to Tiburon. Rosaleen is a Black woman who stands up for herself, even in the face of violence and racism.
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Deborah Fontanel
Lily’s mother. Deborah was shot accidentally by four-year-old Lily. At the time, she had already left Lily and T. Ray and gone to stay with her old housekeeper, August Boatwright, in Tiburon. Deborah was an attractive and lively woman who became depressed living in Sylvan and had trouble acting as a responsible mother.
Zach Taylor
Lily’s best friend and romantic interest. Zach is a junior at the Black high school in Tiburon and plays football for the school team. He is ambitious and hopes to be a lawyer someday, although he has never heard of a Black lawyer. Sensitive Zach forms an attachment to Lily, giving her gifts and positive attention.
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Terrence Ray (T. Ray) Owens
Lily’s father who was once passionately in love with Lily’s mother, to whom he was married. After his wife left him and later died, he became a bitter and resentful man. He abuses and punishes Lily.
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May Boatwright
Sister of August and June. May once had a twin sister, April, who committed suicide at a young age. Since that time, May has become extremely sensitive and prone to depression. May spends most of her time taking care of the Boatwright house by cooking and cleaning for the other ladies. She eventually kills herself in the river.
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June Boatwright
Sister of August and May. June finds it difficult to like Lily at first because she resents August’s involvement in the white world as a housekeeper for Lily’s mother. In her spare time, June volunteers as a cellist for the local hospital, where her music soothes dying patients. She is involved in a love affair with Neil, to whom she refuses to get married. Stubborn and strong-headed, June eventually shows herself to be kind and caring as well.
Neil
A very tall man who courts June Boatwright. Neil helps around the farm but lives elsewhere. He is kind to Lily and one of the few grown men in the novel that is gentle and honest.
The Daughters of Mary
A group of African Americans who have created their own religion, based around the Boatwright statue of the Black Mary. Although most group members are women, there are some men who attend the Daughters get-togethers and celebrations. Lily and Rosaleen participate in this religion while staying at August’s farm.
Queenie
One of the Daughters of Mary. She dresses in bright colors and wears large, ornate hats.
Violet
One of the Daughters of Mary. Like her mother, Queenie, she dresses in fancy clothes and wears a decorative hat.
Lunelle
One of the Daughters of Mary. She is the hat maker and wears the most outlandish hats of all. Lunelle makes a hat for Lily.
Cressie
One of the Daughters of Mary. Her handicraft skill is crocheted octopuses.
Mabelee
One of the Daughters of Mary.
Sugar-Girl
One of the Daughters of Mary. She is married to Otis Hill and brings him along to most of the Daughters of Mary events.
Otis Hill
The wife of Sugar-Girl. A kind Black man, Otis often attends the Daughters of Mary get-togethers.
Clayton Forrest
Zach’s mentor and Tiburon’s principal lawyer. A white man with a successful practice, Clayton takes an interest in Zach and encourages him to become a lawyer. His office is decorated with pictures of him with his daughter. Clayton is also an old friend of August’s.
April Boatwright
May’s twin sister. She committed suicide in childhood by shooting herself with a shotgun. Her childhood temperament was very similar to May’s adult temperament: overly sensitive and depressed.
Brother Gerald
The minister of a church in Sylvan. Lily attended his church when she was growing up. A pious man with racist tendencies, Brother Gerald is also rather foolish, as Lily has no problem tricking him. He is also self-righteous and petty.
Franklin Posey
The ringleader of Rosaleen’s attackers. Franklin is known in Sylvan as one of the most violent and reactionary racists.
Avery Gatson
The Sylvan cop that arrests Lily and Rosaleen. His friends call him “Shoe.” He is passively racist.
Miss Lacy
Mr. Forrest’s secretary. Slightly racist, Miss Lacy finds the fact that Lily lives with Black women very disturbing
Becca Forrest
The daughter of Clayton, the lawyer. She is a year younger than Lily and eventually becomes her friend in Tiburon.
Mrs. Gatson
The jail keeper and wife of the cop Avery Gatson.
Rose Campbell
The name Lily uses for her grandmother when she arrives in Tiburon.
Aunt Bernie
The name Lily uses for her aunt when she arrives in Tiburon.
Frogman General Store clerk
The clerk at Frogman General Store. He is a small, gullible, pious man.
