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The Swallows' Flight

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The Swallows' Flight

By: Hilary McKay
Narrated by: Katherine Press
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About this listen

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.

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....

©2021 Hilary McKay (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International Limited Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Friendship War

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Critic reviews

"[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)

"Meticulously researched, intelligent, warm and witty - this is McKay at her peerless peak." (Sally Morris, The Daily Mail)

"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)
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I listened to this immediately after The Skylark's War. This story is just as moving and beautiful as the first; I think I loved this one even more. I was so happy to follow up on the lives of the characters from the first book, but fell just as much in love with the new main characters of this one. A really interesting insight into the realities of World War 2 for families on both sides of the conflict, heartbreaking at times but also uplifting and hopeful.

A beautiful sequel

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This is the sequel to the Skylarks War and so features many of the characters from the first book. I can’t say much without spoiling it, but the book is excellent and the characters interweave in a clever plot. Like the first book, there is sadness, but much hope and joy and gladness and a celebration of family and friends and love. A beautifully written book and the narration is excellent too. A story enjoyable by all ages.

Such a great book

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