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Elizabeth Zott
A young, brilliant, beautiful chemistry MA with a sparkling intellect and a defiant, independent attitude. Forced to navigate the professional world of the 1950s and 60s—where women’s intelligence is not valued, and where sexual assault goes repeatedly unpunished—Elizabeth is determined to pursue her research and to make a name for herself as a serious chemist. After her lover and research partner Calvin dies unexpectedly, Elizabeth is left alone, grieving, pregnant, and fired from the lab they worked at. Following a chance encounter over a dispute concerning her daughter Mad’s lunch, she finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight as the host of a popular cooking show, "Supper at Six." Despite her initial hesitation, Elizabeth becomes a reluctant icon. Her frankness and willingness to take other women seriously inspire them to pursue further learning and careers in skilled fields. Although she misses Calvin terribly, Elizabeth tries to make the best of things and to set a good example for her daughter, Mad, and for the women who watch her live show.
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Calvin Evans
A nationally renowned research chemist at Hastings Institute, a relentless rower, and Elizabeth's romantic partner until his untimely death. Calvin is an unusual-looking man with a surprisingly nice smile. He is broadly considered to be a genius by the scientific community around him. He’s awkward with women and Elizabeth is his first and only romantic and sexual relationship. He can be cantankerous and chilly, but is, in general, a kind and supportive man. Unlike many of the other chemists at Hastings, he takes her ideas seriously and is willing to be proven wrong if Elizabeth turns out to be correct. He is a skilled rower and a natural athlete, encouraging Elizabeth to take the sport up too. His untimely death breaks Elizabeth’s heart, and she is forced to face the emotional and social consequences of being an unwed mother without a supportive partner to help her along. After the first third of the novel, Calvin primarily appears in Elizabeth’s memories.
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Mad Zott
Elizabeth's precocious daughter, born from her relationship with Calvin. Mad is smart, stubborn, and intellectually demanding. A curious and independent child, Mad is nourished by the intense if sometimes misdirected love of Elizabeth, as well as the extremely well-balanced meals her mother concocts.
Six-Thirty
Elizabeth's loyal canine companion, a constant presence by her side after she finds and rescues him. He was supposed to be a bomb-sniffing dog, but he was thrown out of his training program because he was scared of getting close to the mortars. Six-Thirty offers unconditional devotion to Elizabeth and Calvin (and later Mad), hoping to make up for his cowardice around bombs by protecting his new family. The people around him don’t know that he can understand their speech, but the narrative is sometimes told from his perspective.
Walter Pine
The television producer for "Supper at Six" and the father of Amanda Pine, a fair-weather friend of Mad’s who trades affection for the delicious lunches Elizabeth packs. Walter “discovers” Elizabeth when she bursts into his office, and he quickly becomes professionally entangled with her as “Supper at Six” gains traction. Although he’s initially skeptical of Elizabeth's unconventional approach to presenting, Walter becomes an important ally in her television career.
Dr. Robert Donatti
Elizabeth's supervisor at Hastings Research Institute. A self-centered, vicious figure, Dr. Donatti is endlessly frustrated by Elizabeth's scientific talents. He plays a pivotal role in shaping her professional trajectory, but it’s mostly the role of a villain.
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Harriet Sloane
Elizabeth's kind and dependable neighbor. More than just a friendly face, Harriet becomes a pillar of support for Elizabeth, offering emotional support and practical interference for the new young mother.
Dr. Meyers
Elizabeth's PhD supervisor at UCLA. Dr. Meyers is a predator who rapes Elizabeth, and whom she stabs with her ever-present #2 pencil.
Miss Fran Frask
A gossipy and sharp-tongued but observant secretary at Hastings who later works for Reverend Wakely. Frask is initially cruel to Elizabeth, but the two eventually become allies.
Dr. Boryweitz
Elizabeth's colleague and lab-mate at Hastings. Dr. Boryweitz pretends to be kind to Elizabeth while taking credit for her research.
Dr. Mason
Dr. Mason captains the men's rowing team and works as an OB/Gyn. His paths intersect with Elizabeth's as a friend, a rowing coach, and a physician when she comes to see him while pregnant. He invests a lot of time and energy in trying to help Elizabeth through her grief for Calvin. Rowing is a religion to him.
Reverend Wakely
A friend and college pen-pal of Calvin's, Reverend Wakely becomes a source of guidance for both Elizabeth and Mad. He later assists Mad with her “family tree” project, and its larger aim of learning about Calvin’s past.
Franklin Roth
A reporter for Life magazine who writes an article about Elizabeth.
Avery Parker
The founder of the Parker Foundation, Calvin's mother, and Mad’s biological grandmother.
Amanda Pine
Mad’s elementary school “friend” who eats her lunches.
Mrs. Mudford
Mad’s teacher, who has very strong thoughts about Mad’s forthrightness and Elizabeth’s parenting strategies.
John Zott
Elizabeth’s brother, who commits suicide when his father rejects him for being gay.
Phil Lebensmal
KCTV’s executive producer, influencing the direction of Elizabeth’s show.
Rose
A makeup artist for "Supper at Six.”
Mr. Wilson
A liaison from the Parker Foundation, involved in funding research.
Elizabeth's Father
A homophobic and irresponsible huckster who exploited credible people with fake “miracles.”
Elizabeth’s Mother
A weak woman who allows her husband to treat her children poorly. They divorced and she moved to Brazil, where there are no extradition laws.
