Rémi Victoire is the golden child among all the theatre orphans, who dreams of a life on a Paris stage. But when this future is stolen from him, Rémi and his faithful friend Pascal turn their backs on Paris forever.

With Saskia, a runaway orphan girl, Rémi and Pascal form a performing troupe, travelling through the fairytale lands that are the home of the Brothers Grimm, before finding a safe haven in Venice.

As Napoleon’s vast Empire crumbles, the French storytellers discover that Paris itself is now at risk of invasion and they fear for the loved ones they have left behind.

From picturesque villages, to Italian theatres, and on to the battlefields outside of Paris, this is a beautifully told story about the bonds of love and friendship, the importance of stories, and finding a place to belong.

Praise for Stephanie Parkyn:

‘A picaresque tale of love and loss and the transformative power of storytelling that moves from Paris to Germany in the time of the Grimms to Venice - loved it!’ Kate Forsyth author of The Wild Girl and Bitter Greens

‘..a novel of political turmoil, the desire for freedom, the role of art, and most of all it is a tale of friendship.’ Alyson Baker

‘ ..a notable talent for blending history with fiction and creating memorable characters.’ Theresa Smith Writes