A reporter for an English-speaking newspaper in Paris, Julia serves as the main protagonist for the novel. The novel is told mostly from her perspective and unfolds as the story of Sarah unfolds for Julia. Julia is married to Bertrand, a handsome Parisian, and has a daughter, Zoë. Julia becomes pregnant while investigating the events at the Vel’ d’Hiv’, and she must learn to trust herself and gather courage to keep the baby. Julia, through sorting out the story of Sarah, also sorts out her own life, her divorce, and her future. 

Sarah’s perspective features prominently in the first half of the novel, and she is a secondary protagonist in the novel. She is a young Jewish girl taken from her apartment in Paris by the French police. She must journey to try to save her brother, then toward freedom and an escape from her demons. The journey hardens Sarah, who hides most of her personal life from her family. In the end, Sarah takes her own life in the USA, but leaves behind a son, William. 

Julia’s husband in the novel, Bertrand serves as the backdrop of struggle in Julia’s life. He is a handsome, fashionable man. Bertrand has trouble dealing with news and changes that occur in their lives. He refuses to hear about Julia’s investigation, and he can’t handle the prospect of their having a baby together. He divorces Julia and eventually goes back to his ex-girlfriend. 

Initially, Edouard, Bertrand’s father, acts coldly toward Julia and to the rest of the family. He appears to be a reserved man who does not show emotion. He encourages Julia to desist in researching the history of the apartment because he is keeping a secret about its past. Eventually, Edouard opens up to Julia and to the prospect of the secret getting out. He shows himself to be warm and capable of deep love, beneath his chilly exterior.

Zoë is Julia’s daughter. She proves to be a strong support for Julia on her quest toward truth and love. Without Zoë’s strength, it’s uncertain whether Julia would have managed to overcome certain hurdles along the way.