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Irene
Lena, Lyle’s mother, is deceased in the novel’s present. She died eight years after her husband, Aureli, died of cancer. Her bedroom in Lyle’s house remains untouched, and Eli thinks of it as the “room of true love” because of how Lena cared for Aureli until his death. She and Aureli were Jewish and, following World War II, immigrated to Australia from Europe.
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Lena Orlik Character Timeline in Boy Swallows Universe
The timeline below shows where the character Lena Orlik appears in Boy Swallows Universe. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Boy Makes Rainbow
Eli and August creep into Lena’s room, which is off-limits to everyone but Lyle. It’s the “room of true love” and...
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...built. At August’s nod, Eli opens the door. Aureli died quietly—his last word was “Sorry.” Lena died when her car hit a semi-truck. Lyle knew it wasn’t an accident, but he...
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...Lyle gently reminded Eli he wasn’t Eli’s dad. Five days later, Lyle locked Mum in Lena’s room. Mum screamed and beat the walls for days. Through the door, she asked Eli...
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Boy Busts Out
...Inside, someone—probably Slim—cleaned up after the spaghetti. Eli finds something to eat and heads for Lena’s room.
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Boy Parts Sea
Crying, Eli lets himself down and imagines the red telephone and Lena’s room. He thinks of Mum and he sings her favorite song, “Ruby Tuesday.” Eli decides...
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Girl Saves Boy
...residents are a Black dad and two kids, and the man allows Eli to enter Lena’s room. It’s now a girl’s bedroom. Eli opens up the wardrobe door to reveal the...
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