The Swallows' Flight

Hilary McKay’s The Swallows’ Flight is a triumph. The beautiful clarity of her storytelling is masterful and she deserves every prize going. I admire it very much – Philip Pullman
‘An incredible, clever, compassionate story from one of our very finest writers’ – Emma Carroll
A novel possibly even better than its predecessor: funny, poignant, wise and emotional – Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *
A wonderful story full of big, wonderful characters – more than a book about war – a story about our common humanity, which feels like both a hug and a fierce warning. – Natasha Farrant on The Swallows’ Flight
action-packed [and] every bit as satisfying as its predecessor. – Emily Bearn * Telegraph *
The sort of simple, humane storytelling we all need right now … a treat – Sally Nicholls
Hilary McKay has the ability to create characters so real that they live with you long after the last page, having made you laugh, cry - and love them. The Swallows’ Flight is no exception; it soars like the swallows of the title as it leads its characters through the WW2 years, and ends with a glorious feeling of hope. – Vivian French
Hilary McKay writes characters so warm and real, you want to step into her books and be friends with them all. The Swallows’ Flight is a heartbreakingly beautiful page-turner. * Lauren St John *
The Swallows’ Flight is a complete delight … a generous, warm, honest, witty and wise novel. It’s a gem – Richard Lambert
Warm and delicious and richly textured – Katherine Rundell
Heaven – Anna Fargher
Characters are what Hilary McKay does best and, as always, she delivers in spades – Mary Hoffman
A wartime follow-up well worth the wait… a resounding success * The Times, Children’s Book of the Week *
Separately and together, The Skylarks’ War and The Swallows’ Flight are pinnacles of children’s literature * The Sunday Times *
McKay is a glutinously atmospheric writer, and this dense, action-packed saga – written during lockdown – is every bit as satisfying as its predecessor. * The Telegraph *
In a series of short chapters, told from multiple viewpoints including those of two young German airmen, McKay weaves a brilliantly intricate tapestry of wartime emotions and loyalties. – Sally Morris * Daily Mail *

Hilary McKay won the Costa Children’s Book Award for The Skylarks’ War, the Guardian Fiction Prize for The Exiles, and the Smarties and the Whitbread Award for The Exiles in Love and Saffy’s Angel respectively. She is also the author of Straw Into Gold, A Time of Green Magic and The Swallows’ Flight, a companion novel to The Skylarks’ War, among many critically-acclaimed titles. Hilary studied Botany and Zoology at the University of St Andrews, and worked as a biochemist before the draw of the pen became too strong and she decided to become a full-time writer. Hilary lives in Derbyshire with her family.

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