Lacey May

Lacey May Herd, referred to as both Lacey and Lacey May, is the 14-year-old narrator and protagonist of the novel. Lacey begins the novel a devout member of the Gifts of the Spirit Church and completely devoted to Pastor Vern. After her mother’s banished and her own rape at Vern’s instructions, Lacey begins to see through her indoctrination to see Vern’s harmful manipulation and hypocrisy. Lacey begins working at the Diviners to find Louise, and there she makes female friendships. There, through those friendships, she learns the importance of trusting her own body and intuition, and learns to understand the trauma and abuse women suffer at the hands of men in society.

Lacey’s actions throughout the story are motivated by her overwhelming need for love and acceptance. Lacey not longs for love, but is very loving herself. She longs to see the best...