Tash Aw himself: The narrator and central figure, reflecting on his family’s migration history and his own experiences as a descendant of immigrants in Malaysia.

Aw’s grandfathers: Both made perilous journeys from southern China to the Malay Peninsula in the 1920s, escaping famine and instability. Their stories highlight themes of hardship, resilience, and adaptation.

Aw’s parents: His father is depicted as reserved and pragmatic, while his mother shares fragmented anecdotes about the family’s past, including a haunting story about a man who drowned after migrating with Aw’s grandfather.

Aw’s maternal grandmother: The second half of the memoir is addressed to her, reflecting on her life and the legacy of migration across generations.