When Lavender, La to her friends, moves to the Suffolk countryside, it’s not just to escape the London Blitz but also to flee the wreckage of a disastrous marriage. But as she starts to become a part of the community, she detects a sense of isolation.  Her deep love of music and her desire to bring people together inspire her to start an orchestra.

At its heart, Lisa See's latest novel is a story of sisters: Pearl and May are inseparable best friends, who share hopes, dreams and a deep connection. But like sisters everywhere, they know exactly where to drive the knife so that it hurts the most --- which also makes it a tale of terrible sacrifices, impossible choices and one devastating secret.

Vivid and alive, these stories reveal whole lives -- characters caught between the past and the present, between different cultures, and between their intellects and emotions. Global in scope, classical in form, evocative of place, this rich collection marks an exciting and original debut.