Stephen King
Share this site with your friends—because, like Dominick learned, life’s burdens lighten when we lean on each other. Check all the I Know This Much Is True characters.
| Rating | 4.21 |
| Reviews | 316,092 |
| Total Ratings | 10,567 |
| 5 Star Rating | 148,293 (46%) |
| Genres | Fiction, Contemporary Literary |
| Award | Audie Award for Fiction, Unabridged |
| Pages | 850 |
I Know This Much Is True Characters
| Character Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Dominick Birdsey | The main character; struggles with guilt, anger, and his family’s history. |
| Thomas Birdsey | Dominick’s twin brother; has schizophrenia and faces many challenges. |
| Ray Birdsey | Dominick and Thomas’s stepfather; strict and tough but cares deeply. |
| Concettina Tempesta | Dominick and Thomas’s mother; loving but suffers from illness. |
| Ralph Drinkwater | A childhood friend of Dominick; later connected to family secrets. |
| Joy Hanks | Dominick’s ex-wife; their relationship ends due to his struggles with anger. |
| Dessa Constantine | Dominick’s ex-girlfriend; remains important in his life. |
| Ma Tempesta | Dominick and Thomas’s grandmother; part of their family’s troubled past. |
| Leo Birdsey | Dominick and Thomas’s grandfather; strict and traditional. |
| Dr. Patel | Thomas’s psychiatrist; helps him manage his condition. |
| Dr. Rubina Patel | Another therapist working with Dominick; supports him through personal growth. |
| Nedra Frank | A translator Dominick hires; she causes tension and drama. |
| Lisa Sheffer | A counselor at Hatch Forensic Institute; assists Thomas. |
| Miss Hennessey | Dominick’s first-grade teacher; harsh and humiliating. |
| Angelo Tempesta | Dominick’s great-grandfather; his story influences the family history. |
| Marie Tempesta | Dominick’s aunt; adds perspective to family dynamics. |
| Vincenzo Tempesta | Concettina’s brother; a soldier whose life impacts the family’s legacy. |
| Penny Ann Drinkwater | Ralph’s sister; faces many hardships. |
| Clarice Constantine | Dessa’s mother; supports her daughter emotionally. |
| Thomas’s Social Worker | Works with Thomas during his institutionalization. |
| Angela Birdsey | Dominick’s daughter; represents hope and love. |
| Kyle Constantine | Dessa’s boyfriend after Dominick; causes tension. |
| Father LaVie | The family priest; offers spiritual advice. |
| Ann Marie | Concettina’s friend; provides comfort during hard times. |
| Dominic’s Uncle George | Part of Dominick’s extended family; influences his upbringing. |
| Grace Drinkwater | Ralph’s mother; endures difficult circumstances. |
| Detective Rich Mariani | Investigates events surrounding Thomas’s breakdown. |
| Neighbor Mr. Goldstein | A friendly neighbor during Dominick’s childhood. |
| Mrs. Leonard | A social worker involved in Thomas’s care. |
| John Valsanis | A fellow patient at Hatch; interacts with Thomas. |
| Sophie Birdsey | Dominick’s grandmother; holds family secrets. |
| Grandpa Birdsey | Dominick’s paternal grandfather; a shadowy figure in family lore. |
| Rosie Constantine | Dominick’s cousin; adds humor and perspective. |
| Ida Tempesta | Concettina’s sister; another link to family history. |
| Salvatore Tempesta | Concettina’s father; represents old-world values. |
| Sophia Tempesta | Concettina’s mother; carries family traditions. |
| Eddie Drinkwater | Ralph’s father; mentioned briefly. |
| Mrs. Clarendon | The Birdseys’ neighbor; often gossiping. |
| Jim Constantine | Dessa’s brother; briefly mentioned. |
| Mr. Drinkwater | Ralph’s grandfather; part of the community. |
| Shep Birdsey | Dominick’s great-uncle; fought in World War I. |
| Vincent Birdsey | Another relative in the family history. |
| Stella Tempesta | Angelo Tempesta’s wife; deeply affected by his choices. |
| Angela’s Friend Sarah | Plays with Angela; represents a connection to normalcy. |
| Rose Tempesta | Concettina’s cousin; mentioned in family stories. |
| Carlo Tempesta | A cousin of Concettina; represents familial ties. |
| Gina Birdsey | Dominick’s distant cousin; briefly mentioned. |
| Old Man Greco | A local shopkeeper; interacts with the Tempesta family. |
| Carl the Clerk | A store clerk Dominick meets during errands. |
| Young Dominick’s Babysitter | Takes care of Dominick and Thomas as kids. |
| Nurse Linda at Hatch | Helps care for Thomas; shows compassion. |
| Dr. Stone | Another doctor at Hatch; oversees Thomas’s case. |
| Bernadette Birdsey | A distant relative mentioned in passing. |
| William Constantine | An ancestor of Dessa’s; part of her family’s legacy. |
| Frank the Taxi Driver | Drives Dominick during a tense moment. |
| Arthur Constantine | Dessa’s cousin; known for his sarcastic remarks. |
| Neighbor Mrs. Goldstein | Mr. Goldstein’s wife; friendly but gossipy. |
| Old Lady in Church | A regular at Mass; often prays loudly. |
| Librarian Ms. Turner | Helps Dominick research the Tempesta history. |
| Construction Worker Joe | Works on Ray’s projects; adds humor. |
| Hatch Guard Marty | Watches over the institution; interacts with Dominick. |
| College Professor Owens | Taught Dominick in college; influences his worldview. |
| Historian Dr. Garrett | Writes about Angelo Tempesta; helps Dominick learn. |
| Caretaker Pete | Maintains the cemetery where family graves lie. |
| Young Thomas’s Teacher | A kind teacher who noticed Thomas’s struggles early. |
| Hatch Patient Eleanor | Befriends Thomas at the institution. |
| Ms. Calder | A secretary at Hatch; gossipy and curious. |
| Al the Bartender | Runs the bar where Dominick often goes. |
| Dr. Mancini | A doctor who treats Concettina during her illness. |
| Gas Station Attendant Mike | Helps Dominick on a road trip. |
| Local Newspaper Reporter | Covers the Birdsey family drama. |
| Little Girl in Grocery Store | Interacts with Dominick in a lighthearted scene. |
| Angelo’s Business Partner | Mentioned in Angelo Tempesta’s story. |
| Hatch Custodian Lou | Maintains Hatch; interacts with Dominick. |
| Street Musician | Plays near Dominick’s apartment; adds atmosphere. |
| Farmer Jacobson | Owns land near the Tempesta farm. |
| Mrs. Valentino | A childhood friend of Concettina. |
| Hatch Patient Greg | A loud and disruptive fellow patient. |
| Angela’s Teacher | Encourages Angela’s artistic talent. |
| Soldier in Angelo’s Unit | Fights alongside Angelo in World War I. |
| Aunt Agnes | A distant relative in Dominick’s family. |
| Hatch Administrator Joyce | Oversees operations at the institution. |
| Dog Breeder Fred | A neighbor with a kennel near the Tempestas. |
| Little League Coach Tim | Coaches young Dominick and Thomas. |
| Author from Town Library | Talks about local history; inspires Dominick. |
| Painter at Ray’s Job Site | Works for Ray; a jokester. |
| Hatch Nurse Margaret | Another nurse who helps Thomas. |
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