Iain Pears' book narrates the extraordinary love story between Larissa Salmina and Francis Haskell, whose serendipitous meeting in Venice in 1962 contrasts the tragic and creative struggles of their lives. Salmina, a curator at the Hermitage Museum, survived the harsh siege of Leningrad, while Haskell faced the mundane difficulties of a British boarding school. Pears combines Salmina's recollections with Haskell's diaries to craft a heartfelt elegy, reflecting on a Europe where art thrived amid adversity and borders were meant to be crossed.
Pears weaves Salmina's recollections and Haskell's diaries into a seamless narrative, depicting a profound love story set against the backdrop of a complex Europe.
Salmina's tough, creative spirit contrasts sharply with Haskell's sheltered upbringing, showcasing the differing struggles they faced leading up to their love.
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