Paul Pokriefke 

Paul, a journalist and a man devoted to facts, narrates this story, which is not told in chronological order. Instead, each chapter “crabwalks” through time, scuttling backward and forward to explain how the events of the past continue to impact the present and future. Paul was born in the midst of historical chaos; his pregnant teenage mother went into labor as the Gustloff, on which she was a refugee passenger, was attacked by torpedoes and began sinking. Paul grew up without knowing the identity of his father; his mother provided several possibilities throughout his life. Paul eventually married Gabi and had Konrad, whom they call “Konny.” He is admittedly a poor father and blames this at least in part on his own lack of a fatherly role model; in fact, at one point Paul insists that it would have been better if he had not survived the sinking of the Gustloff and had therefore never become a father himself. Paul struggles to relate to his son, both before and after Konny’s crime.

Konrad “Konny” Pokriefke / “Wilhelm” 

Konrad is the son of Paul and Gabi; after their divorce, he lived with his mother and was rarely visited by his father. He eventually moved in with his grandmother Tulla and became obsessed with the historical details involving the assassination of Wilhelm Gustloff. In the early days of the internet, Konny develops a website detailing the tragedy which befell “the martyr.” A frequent visitor to the website, identifying himself as “David,” regularly challenges Konny’s views. Konny, assuming the online identity of “Wilhelm,” vehemently defends the honor of the man for whom the doomed ship was named. David’s rather impromptu visit to Konny is initially cordial; however, when he spits on ground considered sacred by Konny, Konny murders him without emotion or regret. Konny is sentenced as a juvenile and imprisoned for seven years for his crime, but he steadfastly maintains that he acted justly.

Wolfgang Stremplin / “David” 

“David’s” true identity is not known until after his murder. During Konny’s trial, Wolfgang’s parents share with the narrator that “David” was not Jewish and only assumed that identity after becoming obsessed with the details of historical Jewish suffering. He had even asked his mother to begin preparing kosher foods and had asked for a menorah for Christmas. David was not emotionally connected to his parents and found a sense of human connection through his online debates with Konny, known to him only as “Wilhelm.” 

Ursula “Tulla” Pokriefke 

Ursula, known as “Tulla,” is Paul’s mother and Konny’s grandmother. She has always attracted men; after becoming pregnant as a teenager, she boarded the Gustloff as a refugee. Tulla is tenacious, which is perhaps best demonstrated by her resolve to survive while in labor as the Gustloff sank. When she reached land, Tulla was completely alone and found that her situation was even more dire when she was unable to produce breast milk to feed her baby. Still, Tulla was determined to save them both; she located various women to provide nourishment for her infant and eventually found her way into the male-dominated profession of carpentry. The narrator finds his mother a stoic figure, recalling the tears she shed over Stalin’s death as one of her few truly emotional responses in life. Tulla is devoted to her grandson, especially because he demonstrates a great interest in her connection to the Gustloff . Konny, whom she calls “Konradchen,” comes to live with her during his teenage years. Tulla purchases him the computer through which he meets “David” online; she also reveals that she purchased...