Characters

Peggy- The cook. Meek, quiet and trustful, easily hurt. nourishing warmth associated with a cook who loves her work

Hannah- An eldress. Tries to be merciful and kind. She is appalled by the visions of angels proclaimed by the frail youngest newcomer, Fanny.

Phebe- A deaconess. Seeks righteousness. the deaconess who executes her turns with military precision

Besty- A deaconess. The peacemaker, but also a gossip. One of the sect’s senior members, with a winking blend of motherly responsibility, big-sisterly affection and girl-friendly good humor.

Rachel- A long time Shaker. Pure in heart.

Izzy- The youngest. Raised with Shakers. the youngest, most needy Shaker, who is tragically lost to the community because of the unrest caused by Fanny's visions.

Fanny- A newcomer. Independent. Accused falsely. She believes that she sees angels and tells the other girls. Need to stay in the community is fueled by her memories of being sexually abused by her brother and father.

Polly- A newcomer. Poor in spirit, needy, bitter. a former prostitute who constantly rebels against what she considers a tyrannical repression that even frowns on her adding harmony to the unison, plain-song vocalizing of the community.

Jane- Mournful, sad. She is thankful for the refuge from a marriage that saw her lose her children. Her constant sadness, though, keeps her from being a productive worker

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117920172.html?categoryid=33&cs=1
http://www.curtainup.com/asitisinheaven.html
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/feb/14/revelations-test-faith-ues-it-heaven/