Lev

Lev is the protagonist of the story, and the novel in its entirety, except the Prologue, is told from his perspective. Lev is a 17-year-old Jewish boy from Leningrad, Russia. At the beginning of the novel, he has heroic ambitions and dreams, but when he first goes into the prison, he loses his heroic dreams and does not believe in himself anymore. He does not believe that he can handle anything. However, when he thinks there is an opportunity to fight later in the begin, he once again believes in himself. Ultimately, he shows heroism by killing Abendroth to save Vika.

Lev hates Kolya when he first meets him, but eventually he considers him his best friend. Lev has a more timid personality and does not seem to seek out adventure or danger as much as Kolya.

Early in the novel, Lev saves Vera, but she does not...