‘A novel that will be read and loved for the next hundred years, and essential reading for right now. I could not have loved it more.’ Coco Mellors, author of Blue Sisters

‘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 HARPER'S BAZAAR BEST BOOK OF 2024

Slowly recovering from a terrible accident, Natalia faces a devastating choice – to return to the ruthless world of Russian ballet that nearly broke her, or to walk away forever – in this sweeping novel of love and redemption.

Prima ballerina Natalia Leonova was once celebrated worldwide, with her signature bravura in demand on stages from St. Petersburg to Paris to New York. But at the peak 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 talented dancers, Dmitri and Alexander. These men were responsible for her highest moments, her darkest hours, and ultimately, both played a part in her downfall.

So when Dmitri resurfaces with an enticing offer for Natalia, she must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to dance again – and for the chance to return to the greatest love of her life. Painting a vivid picture of a world where ruthless ambition, desire, and sublime artistry collide, City of Night Birds reveals the making of a dancer with deep 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

Pages: 368, Dimensions: 12.9x12.9cm