Zoli Novotna, a young gypsy with a powerful poetic and singing gift, wanders with a camp, fleeing the advancing fascism. Raised by a rebel grandfather, she, contrary to the harsh tradition of the Roma, loves books and willingly communicates with non-gypsies, gadje. Having fallen in love with a red-haired English journalist, Zoli is ready to break the customs of her ancestors for his sake. But the authorities use the singer’s name to undermine the centuries-old way of life of the gypsies, and the elders sentence the girl to the most terrible punishment - exile. Only a passionate desire to create allows Zoli to survive. A unique story of love and loss. A parable about a gift and a curse. A story about intimacy and betrayal, the deadly power of tradition and freedom. Poignant poems. Historical truth. All this is in the novel by one of the greatest writers of our time, Colum McCann.