Two estranged sisters—one a devoted homemaker, the other a globe-trotting photojournalist—are forced back together when their father's final wish reunites them with their emotionally distant mother, Anya. As their mother finally reveals the Russian fairy tale she whispered to them in childhood, layer by layer, a devastating secret from her past in war-torn Leningrad emerges, transforming everything the daughters thought they knew about their family. This is a deeply moving story about the hidden scars we carry, the resilience of the human spirit, and how understanding a mother's unimaginable journey can reshape a family's bonds forever. Hannah masterfully weaves past and present to create an unforgettable exploration of love, sacrifice, and the power of finally being heard.

Reading soundtrack

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Spotify

melancholicyearningtenderhauntingintimate

Haunting folk and indie ballads that capture longing across time—think Bon Iver's whispered vulnerability, The Lumineers' intimate storytelling, and Nick Cave's emotional depth. Layer in orchestral strings and Russian-inspired melancholy. Sweet, bittersweet, nostalgic, with moments of tender intimacy. Perfect for unraveling family secrets.