The book describes the times of the “deep” USSR and the destinies of women of different ages living in the same area of a small town. But despite the difficult fate and tragic circumstances, the story is life-affirming. Lyudmila endured the tragic disappearance of her son, a hard childbirth, and her husband’s drinking. But this story isn’t about pity or tragedy. It’s about happiness—about the fact that for everyone there’s a wonderful patch to mend the hole in the soul caused by loneliness, grief, or circumstances.