Many fates interweave to form the tapestry of "Karnival." Below are brief teasers of these lives.

The Kliegs Arthur Klieg The founder of Klieg's Karnival. Hamilton's brother, Anna's husband, and Margaret's father. Arthur was inspired to build Klieg's while watching Hamilton's pet dogs perform backyard tricks. Arthur runs the front office and is talker for the sideshows. Anna Jameel* Klieg Arthur's wife and Margaret's mother, Anna performs in the sideshows as "The Bearded Anna." (And, yes, her beard is real.) She will make a regrettable decision when she changes the format of her act. *Her maiden name is not mentioned in the narrative. Hamilton Klieg Arthur's brother and Madame Isis's husband. Having trained dogs from a young age, Hamilton performs at Klieg's with his acrobatic dog act. A dwarf. Madame Isis Klieg née Alice Clemmons Our narrator and Hamilton's wife. A psychic, actress, and talk show and game show personality, she becomes the second of the Klieg's fortune-tellers. Only Hamilton can touch her without her being overcome by a painful and powerful "knowing." A dwarf. Margaret Klieg Clifford Arthur and Anna's daughter, Frank's wife, and mother to Horace and Heath. Margaret is the author and illustrator of a series of bestselling children's books. Madame Isis's predictions for Margaret's life will prove horribly accurate. Frank Clifford Margaret's husband, father to Horace and Heath. A workman at Klieg's, Frank is responsible for the construction and tear-down of the midway rides, and wholly unprepared for what the fates have in store. Horace Clifford Margaret and Frank's natural-born son. It is at his urging that Margaret and Frank proceed to adopt Heath. Heath Clifford née Baby Wayne Abandoned by his mother, Nola Wayne, Heath is adopted by the Cliffords at Horace's urging. This and subsequent events are foretold by Madame Isis long before his birth. Dog Heath's faithful companion, saved from near-starvation. The Karnival Troupe Madame Olga The first of the Klieg's fortune-tellers, she tutors Alice/Madame Isis in the use of Tarot cards. Balzod the Great Klieg's magician - "very tall, very thin, and looks very old." Tim-Tina Hardwick Intersexed (more commonly known as a "hermaphrodite"), Tim-Tina performs in the sideshows a mock wedding ceremony that borders on the obscene. She longs for love, and will find it in forbidden arms. Strongman Hank A crowd favourite - and the object of Tim-Tina's affection - he will fail in his attempt to save the life of another. The Snake Lady Proud mother of boa constrictor, Tiny, she attends a fateful birthday celebration. Fritz Sword/Fire swallower, his insensitivity drives another to attempt suicide. Polly and Peg Tanner U.S.A.-born conjoined ("Siamese") twins. At Klieg's, they perform an acrobatic ballet act on the freak tent's main stage. Annette Dawson* Daughter of a drug lord, she dreams from a young age of running away to join Klieg's. Her psychic abilities manifest naturally as sudden "knowings" and the witnessing of events "reflected" in shiny objects. *Her last name is not mentioned in the narrative. (How I would love Janet Jackson to play this part in the movie! - mm) Danny Dawson* Annette's brother, he has spent years trying to escape from a painful truth. *His last name is not mentioned in the narrative. Shay Garrett An artist of great talent - and tormented for being overweight - she runs away from home to join the Karnival. The Acrobatic Dog Act Under Hamilton's direction, these dogs of varying sizes perform elaborate popular tricks such as the pyramid, the totem pole, and other tumbling and gymnastic manoeuvres. The Monkey Family Skilled musicians, the monkey family performs accompaniment for the various acts. The eldest (unnamed in the narrative) leads the orchestra; his wife, Mademoiselle Zelda serves as Balzod's magician's assistant. Other Performers Philippe and Bilbo the dancing bear, who perform in a popular ballroom act; The Painted Lady, covered in tattoos from head to toe, she is married to The Rock-Headed Man, who burns himself, drives spikes through his nostrils and hooks through his cheeks, all without apparent injury; Chris and Toby Millar, the first "Siamese" twins at Kliegs, who sing beautiful operatic harmonies; The Brain, whose mind-reading act quickly becomes legendary; Lady Mysteria, Kliegs's first female magician, who specializes in levitations and transformations; The Carposi Brothers, "the largest of whom received standing ovations when he juggled the three elder"; The Alligator Triplets, who suffer from a condition that gives their skin a scale-like appearance; The Amazing Armless Artist, who draws customer portraits from his easel on the midway; also mentioned (though unnamed in the narrative) are a man who guesses ages and weights (and professes to be centuries old), and a female stunt diver. The Waynes & Greesons Thad Wayne Brother to Mollie, father to Nola, father to Heath. His treatment of a cow - but not that of Nola - will horrify the residents of the village near the Wayne farm. Mollie Wayne Sister to Thad, mother to Nola, it will be years before she finds her runaway daughter. Nola Wayne Repeatedly abused by her sibling parents, Nola runs away from home at sixteen, abandoning Heath as a "crying, leaking, stinking, reminder of their father's lust." Though she finds escape, she cannot elude her destiny forever . . . (I have always imagined Anne Heche in this role! - mm) Heath Clifford née Baby Wayne See teaser under "The Klieg's." Ralph Greeson Kind and unassuming truck driver who provides Nola Wayne a means of escaping the Wayne farm. Ron Greeson Ralph's Uncle, he harbours the boy following the incident with the bacon and whisk. Chloe Greeson Her birth has doctors eager to operate - and her parents certain that she has been born to a special purpose. Villagers and Others Louise Markham Proprietor of the village gift shop, and deadly with a shotgun. Her visit to the Wayne farm will change her social status - as well as her eating habits - forever. (How fitting it would be for Teri Garr to play this role! - mm) Aggie North Louise's friend and confidant, she becomes obsessed with the "cannibals." Ned Thompson Ineffectual deputy who is dispatched to the Wayne farm to deal with the matter of the cow. Harvey The village diner proprietor - "always with an eye out for a pretty girl" - who introduces Nola Wayne to Ralph Greeson. Sheila Beck Aggressive and ruthless reporter, she pursues the story of the near-feral "Baby Wayne." Mark & Joey Two young boys, special friends, whose visit to Klieg's will not be forgotten. Rebecca Hardwick Tim-Tina's mother, who forces the child to hide her secret and "be" a girl. Ed Hardwick Tim-Tina's father - a fisherman - who forces the child to "be" a boy. Mr. (Old Man) Martin Shunned by his neighbours, he has fateful words for Heath on a Halloween night. Mrs. Dawson* Annette's mother, who expresses love with her credit cards. *Her name is not mentioned in the narrative. Malcolm Lewis Dawson family lawyer. The Maggots Internationally-reknowned rock band, they record an album inspired by - and for which they shoot several videos at - Klieg's Karnival. Robin Tanner Polly and Peg's mother, proprietor of a New Orleans Bed & Breakfast. Elizabeth Ellis A helpful hand under trying circumstances ... but how does she communicate her intentions to others so quickly? Joseph Danton Crown land Forester, friend to Chloe Greeson. Last But Not Least: The Cow . . . Mistreated by the Waynes, her discovery leads to a cataclysmic chain of events.