Anna and the Swallow Man

Author(s): Gavriel Savit

Young Adults

Anna and the Swallow Man is a stunning, literary, and wholly original debut novel that tells a new WW2 story.


Krakow, 1939, is no place to grow up. There are a million marching soldiers and a thousand barking dogs. And Anna Lania is just seven years old when the Germans take her father and suddenly, she's alone.


Then she meets the Swallow Man. He is a mystery, strange and tall. And like Anna's missing father, he has a gift for languages: Polish, Russian, German, Yiddish, even Bird. When he summons a bright, beautiful swallow down to his hand to stop her from crying, Anna is entranced.


Over the course of their travels together, Anna and the Swallow Man will dodge bombs, tame soldiers, and even, despite their better judgement, make a friend. But in a world gone mad, everything can prove dangerous . . .


Product Information

Shortlisted for Waterstones Children's Book Prize: Older Fiction 2017.

A chilling, stylishly written and utterly memorable story Guardian, Best New Children's Books 2016 A small wonder, and for once a book worthy of the hype Alex O'Connell, The Times The breakout WWII drama ... is causing quite the stir amongst both adults and the pre-teens it's aimed at Stylist - 'Your Essential 2016 Reading List' Tense, moving, original and skilled, this phenomenal debut will seize sophisticated readers Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times - Children's Book of the Week It sometimes seems there can be no stories left to tell about the anguish of Nazi-occupied countries in 1939-45 but the debut novel by Gavriel Savit makes the territory new Observer A beautifully haunting and thought-provoking story of friendship that lingers long after the last page Ruta Sepetys A bold first novel that promises more from the undoubtedly talented Savit Guardian A beautifully written debut Sunday Express This wonderfully original concept, enigmatic in style yet grounded in brutal reality, is written with deceptive power and grace Daily Mail A stark and beautifully written tale that will leave you feeling unsettled yet enthralled Woman Magazine Savit's young adult novel reveals the power and danger of language, the necessity for deceit when humanity is under siege and ... the hope that we will all find a guardian when we most need it Sainsbury's Magazine Savit brilliantly dramatizes the adventures of survival ... this book has an enticing sense of fable Daily Telegraph Savit's story is aimed at anyone who will listen. A 10-year-old may identify with Anna. A teenage reader will absorb the deftness and sophistication of the telling. An adult will find his or her expectations challenged New York Times There's much for adults to love about Gavriel Savit's beautiful tale Sun, Fabulous Magazine The book that brings magic to the 20th century's darkest hour Mashable Savit captures the moods, fears and delightful conversation of this odd couple on their implausible odyssey. It's a touching tale, both sad and sweet Mail on Sunday, EVENT magazine - Best New Fiction An astonishingly accomplished debut about war, survival and humanity ... this is very much in the territory of The Book Thief and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas with all the potential that such a comparison suggests Fiona Noble, The Bookseller - One to Watch [a] complex graceful book Financial Times Exquisite Irish Independent Exquisite debut novel Wall Street Journal Like the characters in his debut novel, author Gavriel Savit has harnessed the power of language. He's a talented wordsmith, wielding words and sentences with a precision that allows them to wriggle deep into this reader's heart, leaving me both enchanted and brokenhearted Sara Grochowski, Publishers Weekly One of those all ages and no age stories ... told by a genuine wordsmith ... And it's a story of generosity in the worst of times. Of friendship and loyalty and yes, of love despite all the horror. We won't forget how it felt to read it. Ever Jill Murphy, The Bookbag A beautiful and stunning read ... It creeps slowly into your heart just like Morris Gleitzman'sOnce, and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas did Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books Such an important, painful, beautiful, hopeful read Bloggers Heart Books A harsh tale of innocence lost, yet touched with magic Herald This is cleverly done and beautifully written tale of loss, hope, survival and trust Kate Ormand Savit spins a dark and heart-breaking tale of history and fable seen through the eyes of a child. A thought-provoking read, great for book clubs South Wales Evening Post, Children's Book of the Week A complex, gruelling trip through the midnight of the last century Financial Times - Summer Reading 2016

Gavriel Savit graduated in musical theatre. As an actor and singer, Gavriel has performed on three continents, from New York to Brussels to Tokyo. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. Anna and the Swallow Man is his first novel.

General Fields

  • : 9780141376646
  • : Penguin Books, Limited
  • : Penguin Books, Limited
  • : 0.181
  • : February 2017
  • : 19.80 cmmm X 12.90 cmmm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : April 2017
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Gavriel Savit
  • : Paperback
  • : 417
  • : en
  • : 813.6
  • : 240