Rose Edelstein

Rose ages over the course of the novel from eight to a young adult in her early twenties. Her most marked characteristic, according to her family, is that she is friendly. When she discovers her skill for tasting the emotions of others in food, she is overwhelmed and lacks the ability to articulate what is happening to her. She reaches out to her mother, sensing her sadness and pain. Rose does not understand how to explain what is happening to her mother.

Rose wants a relationship with her brother. However, Joseph’s lack of social skills prevents them from being close. Rose recognizes that her mother feels differently about Joseph than about her. She is not jealous or angry. She understands her place in the family.

Her relationship with her parents remains distant. She knows too much about her mother, and it overwhelms her. She pursues what...