Alice Wein is one of the novel’s 10 primary characters. The third-person narrator renders the majority of Alice’s storyline in Part 1, Chapter 1, “Maine 2010, The Writer.” Alice reappears in Part 3, Chapter 4, “Maine 2016, The Bookseller,” and in Part 3, Chapter 8, “Epilogue.” Because she is the author of the recurring fictional novel, Theo, the other characters reference Alice’s name whenever they discover, read, and reflect upon Theo’s story.

Alice is a dynamic character, meaning she evolves throughout the novel. Moving away from home, attending and quitting college, losing her brother Peter, and writing her novel are experiences that change her character.

When Alice is young, she lives with her mother, father, and brother in a small Oregon town. Because she is shy and reserved, she finds solace in books. Her passion for reading gradually transforms into a passion for writing. Over time, Alice learns to rely upon reading and writing to escape and make sense of her reality. Books aren’t an idle hobby for Alice. They are an avenue to healing. Indeed, writing Theo helps Alice to grieve her brother after he dies of an overdose. She wants to publish the manuscript but fears losing control of her character, Theo, in the same way she lost Peter.