Leni

Lenora Allbright is the novel’s main character, and the narrative is usually limited to her perspective. She is called Leni in the narrative, but also goes by “Red” to Ernt, “baby girl” to Cora, “Len” to Matthew, and “Susan” after she and Cora go into hiding. At the beginning of the novel she is 13, and her father’s volatility has made her resilient, observant, creative, self-sufficient, cynical, and mature beyond her years. She reads novels to escape and her hobby for photography eventually develops into a career. She spends most of her time lonely, since the family’s constant moving keeps her from making friends. She is fiercely loyal to those she loves, especially her mother. As Leni grows up throughout the novel, her character remains very steadfast and most of her change occurs in her relationships with herself and others. She finds in Alaska the home...