Lillian Leyb

The main character, Lillian, became an orphan and a widow at the age of twenty-two and is convinced by her aunt that her daughter was also killed that night. Lillian leaves Turov where she was born to board a ship to America. Lillian speaks both Russian and Yiddish. Her grasp of English is improving and she is well versed in sewing of all kinds. Lillian is thought of as bold by Reuben Burstein. Lillian knows intimately about loss. Not only has she suffered the loss of her parents, but her daughter, Sophie, as well. Lillian often dreams of the murders of her parents and her husband, seeing them lying on the floor, covered in blood. Her daughter’s bed is empty and Osip’s wedding band is still on the second hand she sees. She screams herself awake many nights.

Lillian is a solidly built woman with...