Naomi

Naomi is the narrator and main character of this novel. She is a black slave who is killed by bounty hunters because it is believed she killed a man in Conyers, Georgia. Naomi did kill a man but it was a plantation owner in Faunsdale, Alabama. She was never accused of that murder.

Naomi narrates the story as a spirit after her death. She remains a spirit because she wants to watch her daughter grow up. Naomi also hopes to be able to protect Josey but realizes that she is not able to do so because she is only a spirit.

When Naomi is born, she is able to stay with her family only because her mother hid her from the plantation owner. All of Naomi’s other sisters, with the exception of Hazel, were sold as slaves by the master. When the plantation owner comes in one...