Mark Doty
The author and the subject of his own memoir, Doty shares his young life as a blossoming artist and as a homosexual in the repression of the 50's and 60's.
Sally Doty
Mark's older sister whose own struggle with sexual repression leads her to a rocky life including prostitution and a failed attempt to find herself by marrying a hyper-religious hypocrite.
Lawrence Doty
A professional engineer whose trade makes him move around a lot. His young son is Mark Doty, the author, and his wife is Ruth.
Ruth Doty
Mark's alcoholic mother whose own history of oppression and struggle leads her to oppress her own children.
