Misha

Misha is the first person narrator of the novel. While the narrative is a compilation of Misha's childhood memories as an eight-year-old boy in 1939 Warsaw, Misha tells the story as an old man.

As a boy, Misha is an orphaned Gypsy who lacks family and community until he meets Uri. Uri teaches Misha about how to survive in the coming conflicts of war-torn Poland. Prior to meeting Uri, Misha lives on the run by himself, subsisting on stolen bread and pastries. Uri gives him a place to live in the cellar of a barbershop, and explains the social and political dynamics of their city and world.

Despite the traumatic and oppressive circumstances in which Misha lives, he proves himself to be kindhearted, generous, and curious. When he first meets Uri and the other boys, they believe he is dumb and silly for not knowing his name or if...