Emma Starling

The protagonist of the novel is Emma Starling, who is the first born child to Clive and Ingrid Starling. The family resides in Everton New Hampshire. When Emma was born, the nurse who delivered her claimed that she was endowed with special healing powers, a condition called charismata iamaton. Her father Clive nicknames the condition "The Charm," and everyone in Everton believes that Emma is capable of healing whatever ails them.

This supposed gift causes Emma to dream of being a doctor, and she decides to attend a university in California. After graduation, she is accepted into a prestigious medical school, but unbeknownst to her parents, never attends a day of class because she is struggling with depression. Her mother, Ingrid, convinces her to come home to visit her ailing father. She reluctantly complies, and returns to Everton to reestablish relations with her estranged family.

While in...