“A beautifully crafted novel that sits at the intersection of race and class, that flags the frank truth of the life of migrant workers for whom a flight to freedom can become the most finely woven trap.”—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Two Ways

From the prize-winning author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo comes Songbirds, a stunning novel about the disappearance of a Sri Lankan domestic worker and how the most vulnerable people find their voices.

Inspired by the real-life disappearance of domestic workers in Cyprus, Christy Lefteri has crafted a poignant, deeply empathetic narrative of the human stories behind the headlines. With infinite tenderness and skill, Songbirds offers a triumphant story of the fight for truth and justice, and of women reclaiming their lost voices.

Praise for Songbirds

“I loved this tender, moving story . . . about the powerful chord that binds mothers to daughters, about those we fail to see and protect. The humanity in this book is compelling, tinged with sadness, delicately delivered with urgency. I finished this book and could not stop thinking about Nisha. It is stunning and beautiful. . . . A magnificent achievement.”

Abi Daré, author of The Girl with the Louding Voice

“Like the vulnerable songbirds trapped in mist nets, Christy Lefteri’s characters—women who leave foreign lands to work abroad and send money back home—broke my heart and kept me turning the pages of her gorgeous novel well into the night.”

Alka Joshi, author of The Henna Artist and The Secret Keeper of Jaipur

“A beautiful novel . . . Songbirds will break your heart and open your eyes.”

Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz

“This thought-provoking novel of love, loss, and redemption is thoroughly sublime.”

Caroline Montague, author of An Italian Affair

“Lefteri is an astonishing weaver of stories that speak to the world with humor and compassion. She is imaginatively daring as she is socially responsible in a style that sustains a compelling narrative from start to end and that kept me on the edge.”

Daljit Nagra, author of British Museum

“The novel is beautifully written and moving. Lefteri’s fans won’t be disappointed.”

Publishers Weekly

Published August 3rd by Ballantine Randomhouse