Brás is the book’s protagonist. Brás is a Brazilian writer, who writes obituaries at a newspaper until he becomes a famous and acclaimed novelist. He struggles living in the shadow of his father, Benedito. As a White man in Brazil, he holds more privilege than other characters who aren’t White. The book follows important moments in Brás’s life, as well as those he loves, always ending with a potential “death” story. He marries wife Ana and together they have a son, Miguel. They make a happy life together, until Brás is diagnosed with brain cancer. After fighting multiple rounds of treatment, he decides at age 76 that he is done and that he is ready to die. At the end of the book, Miguel brings him his father’s final letter, which he reads before walking into the ocean. It is unclear whether or not Brás truly dies in the ocean at the end. Moon and Bá also never specify if he is the narrator.

Benedito is the father of Brás de Olivas Domingos. He is an acclaimed writer and Brás’s role model in both career and actions. Benedito is somewhat elusive, often speaking in aphorisms or lost in his own thoughts.