Summary

The first set of chapters is titled Act 1: Ivanovo. In Chapter 1, seven-year-old Sasha is shocked to discover some officials at the home of her friend Marik. Sasha and Marik always walk to school together. Officials search the house and arrest Marik's father, but they do not say why. He is a mathematician, and Marik's mother is a schoolteacher. Marik's mother identifies one of the officials as her former student. Marik's father assures his family “All will be well” as he is escorted out (5).

In Chapter 2, Sasha knows her home is filled with secrets “from the old life … before the country shuddered and convulsed into a new social order” (8). Sasha and Marik jump onto the back of the streetcar as it passes. Their friend Andrei has already accomplished this feat. Sasha feels triumphant as she and Marik pass Andrei. At home, Grandma is furious...