In the Name of Salome

Camila grows up in the shadow of a famous mother, and many people comment on her resemblance to Salomé. Camila has made it her life’s work to keep her mother’s legacy alive. Her life is devoted to the service of her family, her country, and the island nations that surround it. Camila is something of a riddle to her friends and family because she seems to have no life of her own and often appears indecisive. Camila’s poetry lacks the fire of her mother’s verse. Still, she manages to create a reputation as a learned professor of Hispanic studies. Camila has always felt unworthy to be called Salomé, even though it is her first name. It isn’t until shortly before her death that Camila accepts the fusion of her name with her mother’s and has it engraved on her tombstone.

Pancho is Salomé’s handsome, idealistic husband. He is totally invested in building his new nation and promotes Salomé’s poetry as a part of the ideology of the Dominican Republic. Pancho is a bit of an egotist who generally believes he’s right about everything. Even though he loves his wife, he is unfaithful to her during his sojourn in France. Upon his return, Pancho does everything he can to restore Salomé’s fragile health yet also betrays her by marrying one of her protégés shortly after her death. He is eventually elected president but only remains in office a short while because he refuses to compromise with the Americans who occupy his country. In later life, Pancho controls his children by claiming poor health whenever they do something to disobey him. Until the day he dies, they still find him lovable though maddening, much as Salomé did.

Marion is a free-spirited academic. She meets Camila while taking a Spanish class from her and soon becomes her lover. Though Marion would be eager to claim Camila as a life partner, the latter finds Marion’s behavior too controlling. The two maintain a lifelong friendship even as Marion hints she would join Camila at the drop of a hat. In later years, Marion marries a man named Lesley, seeing their relationship as an alliance rather than a love match. She retires to Florida and encourages Camila to relocate there as well. A loyal friend, she helps Camila move from Vermont to Cuba after the latter decides to spend her final years building a nation there.

Nicolas Ureña is Salomé’s father. After repeatedly cheating on his wife, he is forced to move out when his two daughters are very young. A political activist, Nicolas must often flee the country whenever the opposition is in power. A poet himself, he coaches Salomé and helps develop her gift for verse.

Ramona (Mon) is Salomé’s older sister. She never marries and dislikes Pancho for cheating on Salomé. She is Camila’s godmother and remains close to her all her life. In later years, she wants to bring Camila to live with her in Santo Domingo.

Federico is Pancho’s elder brother. While Pancho is away in France, Federico intrusively tries to manage Salomé’s life. He deliberately hides correspondence between husband and wife and conceals Pancho’s affair from Salomé.

Pedro is Camila’s older brother. As children, Salomé made Pedro promise he would look out for his little sister. After their mother’s death, he reminds young Camila that the two of them will always keep their mother alive in their hearts. In later years, he is alarmed by Camila’s relationship with Marion but doesn’t interfere.