Character guide

Yasha Buk

major

Also known as Yasha, Buk, Yakov Buk, Yakov

The narrator and protagonist, a young soldier who enlists and experiences war and revolution.

Maria Bochkareva

major

Also known as Maria Leontievna, Maria Leontievna Bochkareva, Yashka, Bochkareva, plain Yashka, Yashka Bochkareva, Madame Bochkareva, Commander Bochkareva

Founder and commander of the Women's Battalion of Death, a central figure in the narrative.

General Kornilov

supporting

Also known as Kornilov

A prominent Russian general involved in the political turmoil of the revolution.

Alexander Kerensky

supporting

Also known as Kerensky, Madame Kerensky

Head of the Russian Provisional Government during the revolution.

Ivan Ivanovitch Petrukhin

supporting

Also known as Ivan, Petrukhin

A fellow soldier and friend of Yasha, serving alongside him.

Afanasy Bochkarev

supporting

Also known as Bochkarev, Afanasy

Maria Bochkareva's father, a harsh figure from her childhood.

Mikhail Rodzianko

supporting

Also known as Rodzianko, President Rodzianko, Michael Rodzianko

President of the State Duma, a key political figure during the revolution.

Lieutenant Vasili

supporting

Also known as Vasili

An officer in Yasha's regiment, a recurring figure.

Nastasia Leontievna Fuchsman

supporting

Also known as Nastasia Leontievna, old Nastasia Leontievna

Maria Bochkareva's mother, a long-suffering woman.

Stepan Vasiliev

supporting

Also known as Stepan

A soldier and comrade of Yasha, later a Bolshevik.

General Polovtzev

supporting

Also known as Polovtzev

A general who commands the Petrograd Military District.

Marusia

supporting

A young woman in the Women's Battalion of Death.

General Brusilov

minor

Also known as Brusilov

A high-ranking Russian general during World War I.

Daria Maximovna Vasilieva

minor

Also known as Daria Maximovna, Vasilieva

A wealthy woman who supports the Women's Battalion.

Vladimir Lenin

supporting

Also known as Lenin, Nikolai Lenin

Leader of the Bolshevik Party, encountered during the revolution.

Governor Kraft

minor

Also known as The Governor

Governor of a Siberian province, a figure from Yasha's exile.

Olga Frolkova

minor

Also known as Olga, little Olga, the humble Olga

A young woman in the Women's Battalion of Death.

General Verkhovsky

minor

Also known as Verkhovsky

Russian Minister of War under the Provisional Government.

Nadia

minor

A young woman in the Women's Battalion of Death.

Leon Trotsky

minor

Also known as Trotsky

A leading Bolshevik, encountered during the revolution.

Anna Petrovna

minor

A woman who helps Yasha during his escape from exile.

Lieutenant Bobrov

minor

An officer in Yasha's regiment.

Lieutenant Filippov

minor

Also known as Even Lieutenant Filippov

An officer in the Women's Battalion of Death.

Prince Alexander Gutemurov

minor

Also known as Prince Gutemurov

A prince and officer in the Russian army.

General Valuyev

minor

A Russian general encountered during the war.

Captain Dementiev

minor

An officer in the Russian army.

Colonel Stubendorf

minor

Also known as Stubendorf, a Colonel named Stubendorf

A colonel of German descent in the Russian army.

Colonel Belonogov

minor

Also known as Belonogov

A colonel in the Russian army.

Emmeline Pankhurst

minor

Also known as Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst, Mrs. Pankhurst

British suffragette who visits the Women's Battalion.

Leonti Semenovitch Frolkov

minor

Also known as Leonti Frolkov

Maria Bochkareva's first husband.

Peter

minor

A soldier and friend of Yasha.

Vera Michailovna

minor

A woman who helps Yasha during his escape.

Commander Grishaninov

minor

Also known as Grishaninov, Colonel Grishaninov

A commander in the Russian army.

Princess Tatuyeva

minor

Also known as Tatuyeva, Princess Tatuieva

A princess who supports the Women's Battalion.

Colonel Ivanov

minor

Also known as Lieutenant-Colonel Ivanov, Ivanov

A colonel in the Russian army.

General Vasilkovsky

minor

Also known as Vasilkovsky

A Russian general.

General Walter

minor

Also known as Walter

A Russian general of German descent.

Elizar Nazarev

minor

Also known as Elizar

A peasant who helps Yasha during his escape.

Avdotia Ivanovna Kitova

minor

Also known as Kitova, old Kitova

An old woman who helps Yasha during his escape.

General Anosov

minor

A Russian general.

Klipatskaya

minor

A woman in the Women's Battalion of Death.

Alexandra Leontievna Smirnova

minor

Also known as Alexandra Smirnova, Smirnova

Maria Bochkareva's sister.

Sablin

minor

A naval officer encountered during the revolution.

Leonid Grigorievitch Filippov

minor

Also known as Filippov

An officer in the Women's Battalion of Death.

Shura

minor

A young woman in the Women's Battalion of Death.

Dmitri

minor

A soldier and friend of Yasha.

Comrade Orlov

minor

Also known as Orlov

A Bolshevik encountered during the revolution.

General Alexeiev

minor

Also known as Alexeiev

A high-ranking Russian general.

General X

minor

An unnamed general encountered by Yasha.