The Madonnas of LeningradAn extraordinary debut, a deeply lovely novel that evokes with uncommon deftness the terrible, heartbreaking beauty that is life in wartime. Like the glorious ghosts of the paintings in the Hermitage that lie at the heart of the story, Deans exquisite prose shimmers with a haunting glow, illuminating us to the notion that art itself is perhaps our most necessary nourishment. A superbly graceful novel. Chang Rae Lee, New York Times Bestselling author

”— The New Yorker

They are moving north to south

His enduring ability and willingness to take on the political power structure makes him the preeminent voice for the modern era

is at stake

With only 99 days until she can escape to college

a sexual predator

Then some more

he is a man of whom everybody is a little afraid

lanky boy with a mischief glinting in his eye

cálida y real

The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder

” In telling her family’s story