Mazna

Mazna is the wife of Idris and mother to Ava, Mimi, and Najla. When she was younger, Mazna was an actress who loved the stage and wanted to become famous. She eventually gave up on that dream in California, especially after Idris lied and told a director that she was back in Damascus. Mazna resents Idris, especially in the early years, as she was in love with his best friend Zakaria. She feels that Idris forced her to marry and took her away from her home. This makes their marriage very strained. Mazna also struggles with deep depression, often feeling that she is not good enough. At the end of the novel, Mazna seems to come to terms with her children’s success and her own marriage to Idris.

Idris

Idris is Mazna’s husband and the father of Ava, Mimi, and Naj. He is a heart surgeon...