A Single Swallow

In this acclaimed novel by Zhang Ling, translated into English, the aftermath of World War II reverberates through a poignant story of three men—American missionary Pastor Billy, brash gunner’s mate Ian Ferguson, and local soldier Liu Zhaohu—who honor a pact made on the day of Japan's surrender. Seventy years later, they return to their Chinese village to confront their past and the woman they all loved, Ah Yan, whose resilience and grace during wartime bind their memories together. As they reflect on the atrocities they faced, the enduring power of love, forgiveness, and redemption emerges, illuminating the profound impact of their shared history.