The Edge (novel)

Danny is the main character of the book; he is mixed race teenager and is often treated unfairly as a result, even by his grandfather. At the outset of the novel, Danny is portrayed as anxious and uncertain as a result of abused by Chris Kane and he felt uncomfortable when he first arrived the promise land. Later in the narrative, Danny gains confidence and self-esteem after escaping from Chris who mistreated them. After adjusting to his new home, Danny at first ignores the taunts of an unfriendly neighbor, Steve Parker and felt comfortable and happy in the ‘promise land.’

Cathy, who gave birth to Danny when she was sixteen years old, is shown to be a loving and caring person. After she and her son suffer prolonged abuse from her boyfriend, Chris, Cathy often worries about how Danny has been affected by what he was forced to go through. Cathy's father resented her for her teenage pregnancy, and extended his anger towards Danny after he was born. Part of this anger is also based on his racial prejudice. In contrast, Cathy's mother, Joan, has accepted her and does not linger on events in the past.

Joan is Cathy's mother, and thus Danny's grandmother. She is initially unhappy with her husband Harry when he drives Cathy away following Cathy's pregnancy. After Cathy and Danny return to their household, Joan grows to love Harry again when he begins to stand up for the two.

Chris Kane is a tall, lean man who is violent and very possessive of his girlfriend, Cathy. When Cathy and her son escape, Chris, likely being mentally unstable, vows to hunt them down. Throughout the novel, Danny refers to him as 'the Animal'. At times, Chris can be charming, though he often loses control of his temper. In the past, Chris has already had several brushes with the law, and ends up imprisoned in the novel. Despite this, he remains deranged and continues to desire control of Cathy and Danny. Chris also refers to himself as ‘Chrissy Boy’ and others refer to him as ‘the animal.’

Nikki Jones is initially Danny's friend, and becomes his love interest because he finds her attractive and appealing. She is described as having strawberry blonde hair.

Steve Parker lives beside Joan and Harry's home. After Danny moves to his grandparents' house, Steve and his friends Craig and Jamie treat Danny very unpleasantly because of Danny's skin color. It is implied that Steve was once involved in vandalizing the businesses of Asian property owners. Partway through the novel, Steve suffers a broken nose when Danny punches him in retaliation for a racist comment.

Des is Danny's father. He appears several times throughout the book: his first appearance in the novel is in a coffee Elmo shop where Cathy works. After Cathy leaves following her affair with Des, Des marries another woman and they have another child. His new wife leaves him, however, when she discovers that Des' affair with Cathy occurred when she was only sixteen years old. Throughout his life, Danny has desperately wanted to meet Des, and finally does after Des rescues Danny from a fight with Steve's gang.