Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death by suicide, and genocide.

Jack McCall is the protagonist and primary narrator of Beach Music. A travel writer and cookbook author, Jack lives in Rome with his young daughter, Leah. Jack has a conflicted relationship with his past and has cut himself off from everyone in his hometown of Waterford, South Carolina. Jack is a sensitive, outspoken person who finds it difficult to forget or forgive harm that has been done to him in the past. The novel follows Jack’s character arc as he rebuilds relationships with his family and friends and discovers how to forgive them, and forgive himself, for past mistakes. Jack’s journey emphasizes the notion of Forgiveness as Difficult but Necessary Work.

Jack is a flawed man. He is quick to anger and holds on to grudges. In his anger and passion, he lashes out at others. Jack’s treatment of Betsy Middleton is a key example of this behavior; he is repeatedly cruel to Betsy because he is angry at her husband, Capers. The author characterizes Jack as relatable and sympathetic despite his flaws by portraying Jack as a fierce defender of the people he loves who is willing to admit when he’s wrong.