Description

The Russian bestseller about love and second chances, brimming with warmth and humour

In the tiny village of Maran nestled high in the Armenian mountains, a place where dreams, curses and miracles are taken very seriously, a close-knit community bickers, gossips and laughs, untouched by the passage of time. A lifelong resident, Anatolia is happily set in her ways. Until, that is, she wakes up one day utterly convinced that she is dying. She lies down on her bed and prepares to meet her maker, but just when she thinks everything is ready, she is interrupted by a surprise visit from a neighbour with an unexpected proposal.

So begins a tale of unforeseen twists and unlikely romance that will turn Maran on its head and breathe a new lease of life into a forgotten village. Narine Abgaryan’s enchanting fable is a heart-warming tale of community, courage, and the irresistible joy of everyday friendship.

Publisher Review

'I loved this! A tender and quirky tale of stoicism, resilience and love... The ultimate feel-good story of an unlikely romance and the warmth of a community, drawn with humour, empathy and an earthy, magical charm.' * Mary Chamberlain, author of The Hidden * 'At the charming heart of Three Apples Fell from the Sky, pulses the certain knowledge that 'it takes a village' - a village to bleed, to weep, and, finally, to laugh and celebrate as one.' * Faith Sullivan, author of The Cape Ann and Goodnight, Mr. Wodehouse * 'A charming novel... [It] teems with minor characters whose quirks are at times amusing and at times heartbreaking... A warm-hearted story about family, friendship, and community.' * Foreword Reviews * 'Abgaryan's folktale [is] so improbably of the moment... [her] leisurely, painstaking prose - in Hayden's lyrical translation - is an added gift for readers at the moment, because it prompts us to adjust to the 'measured pace of existence' that is now also our own.' * Asymptote Journal * 'A poignant, bittersweet, fable-like story... The strongest message that shines through this finely translated novel is that resignation need not lead to cynicism.' * Asian Review of Books * 'With finely phrased descriptions of daily activities and homes with 'chimneys that clung to the hem of the sky,' and indelible details of complex, humble characters, this magical tale transcends familiar mystical tropes with its fresh reimagining of Armenian folklore.' * Publishers Weekly * 'Suffused with kindness, humour, subtlety and understated finesse.' * Eugene Vodolazkin, author of Laurus * 'Read this book. It's balm for the soul.' * Ludmila Ulitskaya, author of The Big Green Tent * 'Abgaryan's descriptions are beautifully written... I couldn't put this book down.' * Un Univers de Livres blog (France) * 'A superb novel... I urge you to read it.' * Ma Lecturotheque (France) * 'A perfect book for anyone who wants to learn more about Armenia: its customs, its beliefs, traditions and history... A heartfelt, delicate novel.' * La Couleur des Mots blog (France) * 'Abgaryan's work conveys a deep belief in the resilience of humanity without glossing over the horrors of human conflict.' * meduza.io * 'A novel about ordinary life, written with extraordinary sensitivity and tenderness.' * Prestaplume (France) * 'I loved this! A tender and quirky tale of stoicism, resilience and love. Set in a remote Russian village, it is the ultimate feel-good story of an unlikely romance and the warmth of a community, drawn with humour, empathy and an earthy, magical charm. Its characters spring from the page, with their flaws, trials and hardships, as their lives are resolved in a way that will bring a smile of satisfaction and contentment.' * Mary Chamberlain, author of The Hidden * 'The novel's plot consists of multiple stories of very ordinary but bold and beautiful people, with so much love and humour that you cannot fail to go away feeling positive and uplifted.' * Russia Beyond the Headlines * 'A quiet song of a novel. A novel that opens and lingers... that sweeps over you like a wave on a beach.' * The Book Trail * 'A magical novel. It manages to be life-affirming without descending into cheap sentimentality... Abgaryan achieves this challenging balance in part through the beauty of the novel's prose, which mimics the oral storytelling of myths and legends.' * End of the Word blogspot * 'To render the richness of Maran's culture, translator Lisa C. Hayden confidently navigates the linguistic complexities of this book... Her translation is visual and sensory... Dramatic and humorous.' -- The Common 'Abgaryan's affectionate portrayal of rural rhythms and unlikely romance is an absolute joy.' -- New European, '30 Great European Books for the Beach'