For the first time in Russian - a fascinating novel, seemingly woven from intrigue, suspicion, guilt and passion, by a classic of American literature, the author of such a recognized masterpiece as “The Age of Innocence”, awarded the Pulitzer Prize and filmed by Martin Scorsese. Susie Branch and Nick Lansing seem to have been created for each other. Smart, beautiful, with tons of rich and influential friends — but penniless. And so Suzy comes up with a bold plan: “Why don’t they get married; belong to each other openly and honestly for at least a short time and with the clear understanding that as soon as either of them has the opportunity to make a better match, he or she will immediately be released from their obligations? In the meantime, spend a honeymoon in carefree prosperity, not a month, but a year (that’s exactly how long, according to Susie’s calculations, the gifts they received for the wedding will be enough), moving from a villa on Lake Como to a Venetian palazzo and so on, because numerous friends are only too happy to shelter them . But, as you know, everything goes smoothly only on paper, especially when true love interferes with plans...