Danny, the first-person narrator of the novel, is a boy when the novel begins and a man in his late middle age when the novel ends. Over the course of the novel, Danny grows from a clueless child who takes his good fortune for granted to a more self-aware man who understands the sacrifices others in his life have made for him.

When Patchett introduces Danny, he is a little boy who has just begun to accept his parents’ divorce. Danny is largely dependent on his sister Maeve for nurturing, and he follows in her lead when he gives a chilly welcome to Andrea, his father’s new girlfriend. One of the pivotal moments of Danny’s childhood comes when Cyril dies and Andrea puts Danny out. Danny is 15, and for the first time realizes that he has taken his good fortune for granted.

As a young adult, Danny’s life is primarily ruled by Maeve’s desires, who is focused on avenging the Conroy children’s expulsion by Andrea by using as much of the money Cyril set aside for his children (including his stepdaughters Norma and Bright) as possible. The next turning point for Danny comes when he breaks from this plan by refusing to practice medicine, marries Celeste, and becomes a real estate owner.