Book I, The Way Station Summary

Toronto is an active, albeit derelict, port, full of nostalgic migrants. Athos and Jakob head north Union Station to the Heathside Gardens apartments, which seem luxurious after Zakynthos. Disoriented by everything, Jakob finds it hard to sleep and despairs. Athos sleeps little as he prepares lectures by night. Jakob attends English and Greek classes and does the shopping; Athos cooks for relaxation. Athos helps Jakob with the subtleties of English and wishes he could relieve him of his nightmares. How Nazis could have done what they did with straight faces is beyond Jakob. He tries to bury the images, but family and friends emerge from his mind at night. Later, he will study the details of the Holocaust. Athos teaches Jakob to cook Greek dishes. Jakob does not stray far when food shopping. One day...