Zhenja Krjukowa

Iwan Rabcynski, born in St. Petersburg (Florida), writes Russian melodramas under the pseudonym "John F. Romanoff. He gets his inspiration in Brooklyn, his chosen home. His new novel, which is meant to be autobiographical, begins with his Russian great grandfather in St. Petersburg in 1882 and follows three generations as they survive the country's political upheavals.

Estranged siblings meet again at their father's funeral. The brother appears aloof, while the sister is clearly hurt and resentful towards her brother. Now that both their parents are gone, nothing binds them, so then why is it so hard for them together.