Veronika

Veronika is the novel's central character and its protagonist. The narrative is anchored in and defined by her journey of transformation, her movement from despair into hope, from spiritual, emotional, and even physical imprisonment into freedom. In more specific terms, that journey is one of awakening and evolution and movement from despair through enlightenment into joy and freedom. It is a journey that carries with it substantial resonances of archetype and myth, echoing long-told stories of heroic characters encountering both obstacles and allies as they undergo physical challenges with metaphorical spiritual resonances.

An important aspect of Veronika's story is how the transformations she experiences trigger transformations in others such as Zedka, Mari, and Eduard. In this context, it's interesting to consider the symbolic implications of her name. In Christian tradition, Veronica is the name of a woman standing on the side of the road as Christ carried the...