When the pigeons disappeared

A captivating and exceptionally courageous novel Estonia II. his occupation during and after World War II, resistance, collaboration, love, and a tragic marriage. We’re in the Baltics, but the drifting story could take place anywhere in the countries of the Eastern bloc, where history has waded into people’s lives more palpably than in other corners of the Earth. In the novel, we can trace the lives of three characters: Roland, a freedom fighter who chases ideas and fights for the independence of his homeland; his cousin, Edgar, who does everything he can to hide the dark side of his life and even darker secrets, and to grab himself at least a slice of power; and Edgar's wife, Judith, who is shackled by the shame of her marriage and hopeless unhappiness. The destinies of these three people are forever intertwined, not only because of kinship, but also because of the sometimes tangled emotions, passions, and many mysteries and sins. Oksanen is the holder of the exceptional talent that characterizes only really great writers. In his work, he asks important questions, goes around them thoroughly, and is able to maintain tension throughout processing. His storytelling doesn’t get bogged down, the twisting of the threads is perfect, and cleverly, thoughtfully, with the logic of a detective, he fits together the fragmented pieces of history and privacy until finally the picture comes together. And he does all this by keeping surprises on the last pages as well, but the key is already inserted in the lock by the reader.