Character guide

Unknown Narrator

major

Also known as myself, yourself, your, mine

The first-person narrator and focal character, likely Emma Goldman, recounting her experiences in Soviet Russia.

Nestor Makhno

supporting

Also known as Makhno, the Makhno, the Makhno povstantsi, Nestor

Ukrainian anarchist revolutionary leader who interacts with the narrator during her travels in the Ukraine.

Angelica Balabanova

supporting

Also known as Balabanova, Angelica

Italian socialist and former Bolshevik official who becomes a close friend and confidante of the narrator.

Lenin

supporting

Leader of the Bolshevik government, frequently discussed and occasionally met by the narrator.

Peter Kropotkin

supporting

Also known as Peter, Kropotkin, old Peter, Thereafter Kropotkin, Peter Kropotkin Funeral Commission

Elderly anarchist philosopher and friend of the narrator, visited and later mourned.

Maria Spiridonova

supporting

Also known as XVI Maria Spiridonova, Spiridonova, Maria

Left Socialist Revolutionary leader imprisoned by the Bolsheviks, visited by the narrator.

Lunacharsky

minor

Also known as Evidently Lunacharsky

Bolshevik Commissar of Education, encountered in cultural and political contexts.

Lisa Zorin

supporting

Also known as Zorin, Lisa, Subsequently Lisa

A young woman the narrator meets and befriends during her stay in Russia.

Maxim Gorky

minor

Also known as Gorky, Presently Gorky

Famous Russian writer who interacts with the narrator in Petrograd.

Jack Reed

minor

Also known as Jack, Reed, John Reed

American journalist and communist who appears briefly in the narrative.

Zinoviev

minor

Also known as Chairman Zinoviev

Bolshevik leader and chairman of the Petrograd Soviet, encountered by the narrator.

Trotsky

minor

Bolshevik military leader, mentioned and occasionally seen in political settings.

Alexander Berkman

supporting

Also known as A. Shapiro, Alexander Berkman

Anarchist comrade and close associate of the narrator, present in many scenes.

Karl Radek

minor

Also known as Radek

Bolshevik official and propagandist, met during political discussions.

Fanya Baron

minor

Anarchist woman who becomes a friend and later a victim of persecution.

Louise Bryant

minor

Also known as Louise

American journalist and wife of Jack Reed, met in Russia.

Lev Tcherny

minor

Also known as Tcherny

Anarchist intellectual and poet, encountered by the narrator.

Ravitch

minor

Also known as Madame Ravitch

Anarchist woman active in the movement, met in the Ukraine.

Bill Shatov

minor

Also known as Bill, Shatov, William Shatov

American anarchist working in Soviet Russia, a friend of the narrator.

Krasnoschekov

minor

Bolshevik official in the Ukraine, met during the narrator's travels.

Alexandra Kollontai

minor

Also known as Kollontai, Madame Kollontai

Bolshevik feminist and diplomat, briefly encountered.

Wetoshkin

minor

Also known as Comrade Wetoshkin

Bolshevik official involved in trade union affairs.

Sasha Kropotkin

minor

Son of Peter Kropotkin, present at his father's funeral.

Alexander Blok

minor

Also known as a Blok, Blok

Russian poet, mentioned in cultural discussions.

Chicherin

minor

Bolshevik Commissar for Foreign Affairs, met briefly.

Kaplun

minor

Also known as Thereupon Kaplun

Bolshevik official involved in cultural matters.

Petrovsky

minor

Bolshevik official in the Ukraine.

Korolenko

minor

Also known as Miss Korolenko

Russian writer and humanitarian, visited by the narrator.

Madame Breshkovsky

minor

Elderly Socialist Revolutionary, met in passing.

Emma Goldman

major

The narrator herself, an anarchist activist writing this memoir.

Volin

minor

Anarchist theorist and activist, met in the Ukraine.

Grigoriev

minor

Ukrainian ataman who briefly allied with Makhno.

Denikin

minor

Also known as the Denikin

White Army general, mentioned as an enemy of the Bolsheviks.

Joffe

minor

Bolshevik diplomat, briefly mentioned.

Kalinin

minor

Bolshevik figurehead, met in passing.

Molly Stimer

minor

American anarchist living in Russia, a friend.

Doctor Pervukhin

minor

Doctor who treated the narrator during illness.

Mr. Kaplan

minor

Also known as Kaplan

Jewish acquaintance met in the Ukraine.

G. Maximoff

minor

Anarchist writer and activist, met briefly.

Mark Mratchny

minor

Also known as Mratchny

Anarchist comrade, encountered in Russia.