Jonas Woldemariam

Jonas Woldemariam is the protagonist and first person narrator of the novel. Son of Ethiopian immigrants Yosef and Mariam Woldemariam, Jonas grew up in Illinois. Though he is an only child, he feels he has never understood who his parents are; years after both their deaths he continues attempting to learn about and understand them. As a young man he lives in New York City. After getting a degree in English, he begins working at a refugee resettlement center. His main responsibility is to edit and embellish the clients' asylum statements, a job with which he takes increasing creative liberty.

While working at the center, he meets Angela. Though he often has difficulty making friends, he and Angela connect readily. Their friendship grows rapidly into affection, and they move into together. Though the two share many similarities, their relationship proves difficult for Jonas. He is reluctant to...