All My Puny Sorrows

Elf Von Riesen is a primary character of the novel. Her given name is Elfrieda, but her friends and family primarily refer to her by her nickname, Elf, giving their interactions an intimate and affectionate tone. She is Yoli’s older sister, Jack and Lottie’s first child, and Nic’s wife. Elf is a vibrant character with a bold spirit. When she’s young, she enjoys reading, studying, and designing her own campaigns to change her family and community. Her church pastor at one point accuses her “of luxuriating in the afflictions of her own wanton emotions” (14), because she often acts on her intense feelings and expresses herself in ways the Mennonite community doesn’t approve of, particularly for a woman. Elf is also a musical prodigy. Musical instruments aren’t allowed in East Village, but Jack and Lottie sneak Elf’s piano into the house hoping that it will give Elf “a ‘creative outlet’ for her energies to prevent her from becoming ‘wild,’” a word that has “sinister implications” (18). Elf quickly proves her innate musical talent and passion and leaves home to pursue a career as a performer when she’s just 17 years old. She continues to work as a professional pianist throughout her adult life.

Elf is a sympathetic character. She has a keen sense of humor and a deep love for her family. She also lives with depression, which complicates her ability to find lasting contentment in her life. Yoli is usually forgiving of Elf’s suicidal ideations and tries supporting her when she’s in the psychiatric ward. However, Yoli at times feels frustrated that Elf doesn’t want to live on her behalf. When she’s most frustrated with Elf, Yoli will remind her sister of all the good things that Elf does have. She often tells Elf stories from their childhood in an attempt to convey that Elf has experienced happiness in her life.

In the narrative present, Elf is also in her forties. She is married to Nic and lives in Winnipeg. However, her work as a pianist often keeps her on the road. While Elf loves the piano, her artistic practice often augments her anxiety. At times, Nic and Yoli want her to continue touring because they believe in the Importance of Art and Creativity to Survival and they hope that the piano will give her life meaning. At other times, they fear these same tours will upset Elf and compromise her mental well-being. Elf ultimately dies by suicide on her birthday. Yoli’s narrative is an elegy for Elf, as she is anticipating and grieving Elf’s death throughout the novel.

Lottie Von Riesen is another of the novel’s primary characters. She is Yoli and Elf’s mother and Jack’s widow. In the narrative present, Lottie is in her seventies. She lives alone in an apartment in Winnipeg. Whenever Yoli is in town, she stays with Lottie.

Lottie is a loving, resilient, and positive character. Despite all of the loss she’s experienced throughout her life, she maintains a hopeful outlook. She does her best to care for her daughters and to embrace life even after Elf dies. She does so by playing Scrabble, taking cruises, attending local clubs, and communicating openly with her children. Her courage inspires and sustains Yoli in particular. Yoli especially realizes how strong her mother is after Lottie moves in with her in Toronto. Lottie has just lost her sister and her daughter, yet she doesn’t give up on life. She participates in the community and maintains her well-being by investing in new pastimes and relationships. These aspects of Lottie’s life help Yoli to see how much she relies on her mother for comfort and support.

Nic is a secondary character. He is Elf’s husband, Yoli’s brother-in-law, and Lottie’s son-in-law. Nic is a levelheaded character who devotes himself to caring for Elf. He and Elf fell in love and married years prior to the present narrative. Although Nic is more scientifically oriented than Elf, he and Elf share a love of travel, literature, language, and music. Yoli also connects with Nic, and they work together to support Elf throughout the novel. After Elf dies, Yoli tries to support Nic and to remain in touch with him in subsequent months. They often communicate via text message or telephone calls. His and Yoli’s characters share similarities, in that they both have a deep and meaningful connection with Elf and long to keep her alive.

Julie, Yoli’s best friend, is another of the novel’s secondary characters. She lives in Winnipeg with her children and husband. Yoli spends time with Julie whenever she’s in town visiting Elf and supporting her family. Yoli and Julie have a close and lasting bond because they “grew up together in East Village” (53). They were both rebellious as children and bonded over their shared antics and games. They preserve this same energy between them as adults. Whenever they’re together, they drink wine, smoke, and talk openly. They share their troubles, ask difficult questions, and offer advice.

Julie’s character therefore acts as Yoli’s primary support system throughout the novel. She plays a pseudo guide role in Yoli’s narrative, as she doesn’t impose herself on Yoli but is always there for her. Julie is also nonjudgmental and therefore offers Yoli a place to express herself without fear or shame. Their scenes together therefore provide narrative space for Toews to explore complex ethical ideas.

Tina is a minor character. She is Lottie’s sister and Yoli and Elf’s aunt. She is also married to Frank, with whom she has several daughters, including Sheila. Tina appears in the narrative present when she comes to Winnipeg from Vancouver to support Lottie during Elf’s hospitalization. Throughout her visit, Yoli often studies Tina and Lottie’s dynamic. The sisters resemble one another and stay by one another’s sides throughout Tina’s time in town. They even share Lottie’s bed. Their connection parallels Yoli and Elf’s connection and thus offers insight into Yoli’s sense of sisterhood. Tina’s sudden heart troubles, surgery, and death are also omens of Elf’s death. Yoli struggles to make sense of her aunt’s fate but is also keenly aware of how well her mom deals with losing her sister. She realizes how strong Lottie is in the wake of Tina’s death and that it is possible to survive grief.