Vahan Kenderian
-grew up in Bitlis, Turkey-wealthy family-survived through the Armenian genocide
Meera Kenderian
-Vahan's mother
Sarkis
-Vahan's father-friendly with Turks-Turks kill him
Toumia
-Vahan's grandmother-teaches Vahan religion-tries to drink from the river & was shot
Diran
-Vahan's older brother-gets shot with Tavel in front of Vahan & his family
Tavel
-Vahan's older brother-gets shot with Diran in front of Vahan & his family
Karnig
.

..

Armenhoui
-Vahan's sister-drinks poison so she won't have to live through the torture of the genocide anymore
Oskina
-Vahan's sister-stays behind with Vahan's mother when he & Sisak run away
Sisak
-Vahan's brother-Sisak runs away with Vahan-ends up dying in the house Vahan found to stay in
Patoo
-Vahan's best friend-poorer but smarter than Vahan-family survives and offers Vahan a place to stay for a little while
Mrs. Altoonian
-Patoo's mother-let Vahan stay in her house for a little while-told Vahan to go to the general's house for help
Selim Bay
-Turkish general-responsible for the Armenian genocide-is living in Vahan's house-lets Vahan stay in the stables as long as he looks after the horses
Mrs.

Mahari

-servant at General Khalil's house-tells Vahan to act as a servant and follow all of the general's rules
General Khalil
-Selim Bay's father-Vahan stays in his stables to take care of the horses and cows-crazy
Seranoush
-little girl sent to the general's house for the soldiers-doesn't trust Vahan-was raped every night for a week before dying
Galib
...
Mustafa
...
Shirin
...
gendarmes
Turkish officers in charge of carrying out Selim Bay's orders concerning the genocide