Little Bee (also known as Udo): A teenage Nigerian refugee who flees violence in her home country and stows away on a ship to England. She tries on different names to leave her past behind.

Sarah O'Rourke: A middle-class English woman whose life intersects with Little Bee's on a beach in Nigeria. She allows Little Bee to stay with her in England, intent on helping her become a legal citizen.

Andrew O'Rourke: Sarah's husband, who is haunted by guilt from their encounter with Little Bee in Nigeria. He later commits suicide.

Charlie O'Rourke: Sarah and Andrew's young son, who copes with his father's death by only answering to "Batman" and wearing Batman costumes. He forms an emotional bond with Little Bee.

Lawrence Osborn: Sarah's lover, who works at the Home Office. He disapproves of Sarah helping Little Bee and contemplates turning her in to the police.

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