One of the main protagonists, Adeline is Emil’s wife and Walt and Will’s mother. Adeline experienced several deep losses prior to the start of the narrative in 1944. In 1929, her father was arrested by the OGPU and sent to a Siberian prison camp. In 1936, she lost her first child, eight-week-old Waldemar. Despite the hardships in her life, Adeline is “by nature a warm, giving person, with hardly ever a cross word to say about anyone” (38).

Adeline was raised Lutheran and is devoutly religious. She relies on her faith and belief in God to give her strength through various tribulations. Adeline seeks the good even in challenging situations; after noticing the “spark and first flame of love” between Malia and Corporal Gheorghe (121), she gives thanks to God for witnessing such a miracle. While Adeline never fully abandons her faith, she does waver when Emil is captured by the Soviets and taken to a prison camp. Though she begins to fear that God is not listening to her prayers during the time she is separated from Emil, her faith is restored when they are reunited.

Adeline values her family’s safety above all else, often expressing concern about her young sons.