Two women. Two sons. Two islands Themis and Aliki grew up under the German occupation of Greece and subsequent Civil War that tore the country in two. The polarised ideologies of left and right ushered in violent and bloody struggle. The two women meet while imprisoned on the exile island of Makronisos, having been members of the communist army. Themis has given birth to a son, Angelos, but is too malnourished to feed him so Aliki offers to wet nurse the boy. When Aliki is condemned to death, Themis promises to find and raise Aliki's son, Nikos, for the two boys share the same father - army captain, Fotis. Themis raises Angelos and Nikos as brothers but they are caught in the tensions between left and right. Angelos flees to America while Nikos, the more rebellious spirit, is killed when army tanks attack students demonstrating against the Junta. Themis is heartbroken, but the slaughter of the innocent students restores democracy to Greece, Nikos has not died in vain. The new captivating novel from the author of THE ISLAND, THE RETURN, THE THREAD, THE SUNRISE and CARTES POSTALES FROM GREECE 'Hislop's passionate love of the country breathes from every page' Daily Mail on CARTES POSTALES FROM GREECE 'Fascinating and moving . . . Hislop writes unforgettably about Cyprus and its people' The Times on THE SUNRISE 'Intricate, beautifully observed and with a painter's eye for imagery, in these stories Hislop evokes Greece, its people, its customs and traditions with a sensitivity that reveals her deep knowledge of not just the place but also the human condition' Express on THE LAST DANCE AND OTHER STORIES 'Sweeping, magnificently detailed and ambitious' The Sunday Times on THE THREAD 'Meticulously researched historical narrative and imaginative storytelling' Telegraph on THE RETURN 'This is a vivid, moving and absorbing tale . . . Her message seems as relevant today as it would have been a century ago' Observer