In A Night in Distant Motion, the cast of characters is drawn from the tapestry of everyday life, featuring farmers, soldiers, students, and laborers. On the surface, their differences seem inconsequential, as they all endure harsh lives under the shadow of death. Yet, delve deeper, and these contrasts become significant. Those bold enough to look beyond racial divides, as Jan declares, "will lay a path." Not all protagonists rise to this challenge.

Regine Martens, the seventeen-year-old narrator, is candid and open-hearted, yet fiercely loyal to Hitler and the Nazi Party. Branded a "regular Girls' League Bitch" by Gertrud, Regine's dedication is rooted in tales of her father's prosperity due to his party allegiance. Her unwavering belief in the Third Reich's honor crumbles when she encounters Jan, a Polish prisoner who appears as human as any German. This revelation shakes her worldview. From this moment, her honesty and tendency to express her emotions become obstacles. Deception is foreign to Regine. Her school essay on war's futility puts her at risk, jeopardizing herself and a friend's family by advocating for Russians, and upsetting her mother by revealing the truth about Hitler's plans. Once Regine acknowledges her missteps, she tenaciously seeks to make amends.

Regine's evolving bond with Jan is at the heart of the narrative, yet details about him remain scarce. At one point, Regine admits knowing "his voice, his face, his body," but questions if her understanding of Jan is genuine or a mere illusion. Jan sees himself as a coward, though his actions contradict this; the Gestapo condemns Polish men to death for fraternizing with German women. Jan urges Regine to share her newfound truths after the war. He embodies virtues starkly absent from the Third Reich—compassion, forgiveness, and empathy.

Though Steffans, the Communist who runs the farm stand, is far from virtuous—prone to drinking and making advances toward Regine—he nonetheless sparks the transformation in her perspective. By insisting Regine regard Jan as a human being, not "subhuman," Steffans challenges her prejudices. When Regine recoils at Jan's presence, Steffans advises, "you shouldn't be like that, girl. They're all people." He unveils realities Regine needs to confront, highlighting the presence of good and evil in everyone, including her father, who once stole a chicken from Steffans to stave off starvation. Steffans teaches that judgment must be based on character, not race or political ideology.

Among the other key figures are Gertrud, Maurice, and the farmer's wife, whose collective experiences underscore the essential human drive for normalcy. The farmer's wife, despite losing all four sons to war, steadfastly manages the farm, attends church every Sunday, and bravely shelters Regine, aware of the risks. Gertrud illustrates life's resilience. Initially resenting Regine for her allegiance to Hitler, she eventually assists with the harvest and reassesses Regine after observing her change. Gertrud's affair with Maurice while her husband is at war underscores the intertwining of love and survival. Maurice contributes philosophical insights, affectionately dubbing Gertrud "a cow" for her earthbound contentment, but clearly cherishing her. He shares how the farmer's wife taught him not to hate by treating him as a person, not an object. Together, these characters prepare Regine for what lies ahead.

Regine's mother stands as a symbol for those in Germany who steadfastly ignore the realities of their government's actions. Her unwavering belief in German superiority blinds her to the deteriorating conditions faced by non-Germans. Her world is built on absolute trust in the Fuhrer, attributing every good aspect of her life to Hitler and the Nazi Party, from food and her husband's job to their home and furnishings. This faith...