Sofya Streshnayva

Sofya is one of three central protagonists in the novel. As a cousin to tsar Nicholas II, she is part of the Russian aristocracy. She lives with her husband Afon and son Max in an affluent area of St. Petersburg in 1914. Sofya is a former lady-in-waiting for the tsarina, having occupied the position while unmarried. Despite her high status in Russian society, Sofya is humble and down to earth. She has a charitable nature, having established Fena House for impoverished women in St. Petersburg and later securing food for the workers of the doll factory in Paris.

Surrounding the Russian Revolution and its aftermath, Sofya demonstrates immense bravery and sharp survival instincts. She escapes confinement on her family's estate and flees Alexander Palace while surrounded by rebel guards. She travels alone from Malinov to Krasnodar and on to Paris on horseback with little money, foraging for food...