Juhea Kim Bücher

As the Korean independence movement gathers pace, two children meet on the streets of Seoul. Fate will bind them through decades of love and war. They just don't know it yet.

The story follows a former renowned ballerina grappling with a pivotal decision: to re-enter the demanding realm of Russian dance that once nearly shattered her spirit or to leave it all behind for good. This poignant narrative explores themes of redemption and love, highlighting the emotional struggles and transformative power of art in her life.

'This story left me thinking about the ways we overcome setbacks and redefine what truly matters.' Reese Witherspoon A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK FOR DECEMBER 2024 A terrible accident forces Natalia to make a devastating choice about her future as a dancer, in this sweeping novel of love and redemption Prima ballerina Natalia Leonova was once celebrated across the world, her signature bravura in demand on stages from St. Petersburg to Paris to New York. But at the top of her career, an accident forces her into sudden retirement. Injured and alone, she turns to pills and alcohol to numb the pain of her past, still haunted by her relationships with two gifted dancers, Dmitri and Alexander. These men were responsible for her soaring highs, her darkest hours and, ultimately, both played their part in her downfall. So when Dmitri resurfaces with a tantalising offer for Natalia, she must decide what she is willing to sacrifice in order to dance again - and for the chance to return to the great love of her life. Painting a vivid portrait of a world in which ruthless ambition, desire and sublime artistry collide, City of Night Birds unveils the making of a dancer with profound intimacy and breathtaking scope. From the author of Beasts of a Little Land, winner of the Yasnaya Polyana Award 'A beautifully crafted must read' Jason Mott, author of Hell of a Book