This story speaks of courage, of a sacrificed generation, of tenacity, of resilience… — Bruxelles Culture

1942 – Southern Russia: Young Anya dreams of just one thing: flying. During the darkest hours of World War II, she joins an exceptional new air squadron composed exclusively of women pilots. From the cursory training to the devastating battle of Stalingrad, Anya takes wing… but at what price?

Moscow, 2018: Young Pavel is a helpless witness to his best friend’s death. Partially responsible for the tragic circumstances, he seeks refuge at the home of his uncle in Ukraine. The taciturn man takes Pavel with him when he goes searching for relics of the Great Patriotic War. Deep in the forest one day, they discover a wrecked fighter plane, and inside, the pilot’s remains…

With this new novel, Charline Malaval sheds light on the tragic and flamboyant fates of some exceptional yet unsung heroines of one of history’s darkest hours.