In Penelope Fitzgerald’s intriguing historical novel, a woman inexplicably disappears as the shadow of impending revolution hangs over imperial Russia.

It is March 1913, and dear, slovenly Mother Moscow, her windows still sealed against the cold of winter, is stirring herself to meet the beginning of spring. In 22 Lipka Street, English printer Frank Reid has returned home from work to find that his wife has gone away; no one knows where or why, or whether she’ll ever come back. All Frank knows for sure is that he is now alone and must find someone to care for his three young children.

Shortlisted
The Booker Prize 1988
Published by
HarperCollins
Publication date
Penelope Fitzgerald

Penelope Fitzgerald

About the Author

The novelist and biographer Penelope Fitzgerald won the Booker Prize in 1979 with Offshore before executing a poacher-turned-gamekeeper u-turn and joining the 1991 judging panel.
More about Penelope Fitzgerald

Other nominated books by Penelope Fitzgerald

The Gate of Angels
Offshore
Prize winner
The Bookshop