August Epp

August Epp is the first person narrator of the novel. After bishop Peters dismisses his family from Molotschna Colony, August spends several years in England. The narrative later reveals that August is the son of Peters Senior. His mother, Monica, became pregnant after a scandalous affair, which the colony attempted to cover by demanding she, her husband, and illegitimate son leave Molotschna forever.

Shortly after arriving in England, Monica's husband leaves the family. Monica works several jobs to support herself and August. Years later when Monica dies, August becomes involved in various anarchist movements. During a protest in Hyde Park, August steals a police horse. The cops arrest and jail him shortly afterwards. Throughout the narrative present of the novel, August frequently recalls his traumatic experiences while in jail. He was often bullied and abused for the stories he would tell, or how frail and effeminate he...