The Swallows' Flight
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- 3,99 €
Publisher Description
From the Costa Award-winning author Hilary McKay, comes a moving World War II story of family and friendship on opposite sides of a devastating conflict. The Swallows' Flight is the stunning companion novel to The Skylarks' War.
'It’s not necessary to have read The Skylarks’ War (though many beloved characters make reappearances) to be instantly and joyfully lost in this evocative, moving novel, showing McKay at the very top of her game.' – Imogen Russell-Williams, The Guardian
'Funny, poignant, wise and emotional. Full of achingly real characters (and also an excellent dog) . . . I eked out the final pages, not wanting it to end.' – Fiona Noble, The Bookseller
Erik and Hans are German boys. Ruby and Kate are English girls. They grow up in worlds that would never meet, until war tumbles their lives together.
Then one September afternoon there are choices to be made.
How is courage lost, and found?
Who is really the enemy?
And what does friendship truly mean, in the middle of a war?
Meanwhile Rupert and Clarry work secretly for peace – and a brighter future for them all . . .
'. . . a resounding success. . . McKay refuses to dumb down the history, writing with such clarity and understanding that you can’t fail to be caught up in the cares of her loveable cast.' – Alex O'Connell, The Times Book of the Week
'McKay is a glutinously atmospheric writer, and this dense, action-packed saga – written during lockdown – is every bit as satisfying as its predecessor.' Emily Bearn, The Telegraph
'Separately and together, The Skylarks’ War and The Swallows’ Flight are pinnacles of children’s literature.' –Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times Book of the Week
'Meticulously researched, intelligent, warm and witty — this is McKay at her peerless peak.' Sally Morris, The Daily Mail
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in the transitional time between the two world wars, covering 1927–1947, this poignant novel follows four young people on the precipice of adulthood amid the challenges of looming conflict. In Berlin, animal-loving Erik and supportive Hans relish their affectionate friendship while anxiously observing Hitler's rise and burgeoning anti-Jewish sentiment; shy Ruby, born with facial birthmarks, finds comfort in the routines of hanging around at her mother's Plymouth newsagent's shop while her antagonistic older brother Will is away in the army; fragile Kate, the youngest of six in Oxford, records everything in her diary and enjoys a long-distance friendship with Ruby; and an unloved London scrapyard dog searches for a kind home. Elevated by rich characterizations of a cued-white ensemble cast against an acutely observed historical setting, McKay's (The Time of Green Magic) amiable and witty third-person narration offsets a story that touches on moments of darkness appropriate to the time period, including casual animal cruelty as well as several characters grappling with Kristallnacht and its implications. A thrilling final act authentically intertwines the narrative threads in this warm, gratifying follow-up to 2018's The Skylarks' War. Back matter features a historical note and family trees. Ages 8–12.
