In Paris 1870, three wandering souls find themselves in a city set to descend into war.
'A historical epic that Jessie Burton fans will adore' GRAZIA
'Exquisite, relevant and immersive' ANNA MAZZOLA
'A triumph' GUARDIAN
Anne is a former patient from a women's asylum trying to carve out a new life for herself in a world that doesn't understand her. Newcomer Lawrence is desperate to develop his talent as a photographer and escape the restrictions of his puritanical upbringing. Ellis, an army surgeon, has lived through the trauma of one civil war and will do anything to avoid another bloodbath.
Each keeps company with the restless beasts of Paris' Menagerie, where they meet, fight their demons, lose their hearts, and rebel in a city under siege.
A dazzling historical epic of love and survival, Stef Penney carries the reader captivated through war-torn Paris.
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Praise for Stef Penney
'One of the best storytellers we have' The Scotsman
'Penney works hard to fill her canvas with colour and conviction' Sunday Times
'[Her] prose is cinematic' Independent
'What has marked Penney out from the start is her ability to make her extensive historical research come alive' Sunday Herald
'Hypnotically readable . . . Stef Penney is a mesmerising storyteller' Amanda Craig

Stef Penney grew up in Edinburgh. She has degrees in Philosophy and Theology as well as Film and TV, and was selected for the Carlton Television New Writers Scheme. She has written screen and radio adaptations and directed two short films. She is the author of The Tenderness of Wolves, winner of the overall Costa Award; The Invisible Ones and Under a Pole Star, shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award. Stef lives in London.