The Struggle to Live

There are two main aspects to the book's many manifestations of this theme. The first is literal, in that many of the characters (particularly those whose lengthy, detailed stories serve as narrative diversions from the main plot, i.e. the apothecary, Luka, Darisa the Bear, the Galina tiger) struggle simply to stay alive. Their determination to do so gets them through painful, difficult, extraordinarily challenging circumstances, said determination mirroring and/or complimenting that of Natalia and her grandfather, perhaps inspiring both. The second main aspect of the book's development of this theme has to do with the idea of living with integrity, with a sense of identity and / or purpose. Most if not all the characters encounter challenges to their individual sense of identity, who they are, what they do and why they do it. Again, some of the most vivid manifestations of this aspect...