Ella Turner: A modern-day American woman who moves to the small French village of Lisle-sur-Tarn with her husband Rick. Ella has trouble fitting in and begins having strange dreams and experiences that connect her to her 16th century ancestor Isabelle.

Isabelle du Moulin: Also known as "La Rousse" due to her red hair. Isabelle is a young peasant girl in 16th century France. She marries Etienne Tournier, a man from a Huguenot family. Isabelle's story is told in alternating chapters with Ella's.

Etienne Tournier: Isabelle's husband, a member of a Huguenot family in 16th century France. When the Tourniers face threats from neighboring Catholics, they flee to Geneva.

Jean-Paul: The charming librarian in Lisle-sur-Tarn who befriends Ella and helps her research her family history.

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Some key points about The Virgin Blue:

It alternates between Ella's modern-day story in France and Isabelle's tragic tale from the 1500s, with the two narratives eventually intertwining.

Ella begins having vivid dreams about the color blue and discovers connections to her ancestor Isabelle, who was known as "La Rousse" for her red hair.

Isabelle was a peasant girl suspected of witchcraft due to her red hair, midwifery skills, and devotion to the Virgin Mary and the color blue. She and her Huguenot husband were forced to flee France for religious freedom.

The novel explores themes of outsiders, religious persecution, and the clash between Catholicism and Protestantism.

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Reviewers and readers appreciated the dual storyline that alternates between the present day and the 16th century. This structure adds depth to the narrative and keeps the reader engaged as the two stories intertwine.

Chevalier's attention to historical detail and her ability to bring the past to life were often praised. The historical narrative is well-researched and immerses readers in the period.

Her descriptive writing style and ability to create a vivid sense of place were also noted positively. The settings in both the modern and historical narratives are richly described, adding to the book's immersive quality.

Some reviewers mentioned that the pacing could be slow at times, particularly in the historical sections. However, this did not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment for most readers.

Overall, "The Virgin Blue" is considered a strong debut novel that showcases Tracy Chevalier's talent for weaving together historical and contemporary narratives with compelling characters and richly detailed settings.