*WATERSTONES WELSH BOOK OF THE MONTH*

Paris, 1891 Laura is living on the streets, far from the American Prairies where she was born. When rescued by the entrancing aerialists, Ena and Auguste Gaudron, she soon finds herself ensconced in the family hot air balloon business, and offered the chance to learn how to fly.

Cardiff, 1896 The Gaudrons accept an invitation to be part of the Cardiff Fine Art, Industrial and Maritime Exhibition, presenting a daring show of balloon ascents and parachute descents.

Then late one night, a young girl, Grace, knocks on the Gaudrons’ door. She is desperate to fly, whatever the cost.
As Grace’s dreams begin to take wing, can Laura be the one to keep her grounded? Or will both girls risk it all for one dazzling moment of flight?

‘A heady and stylish read that had me swept away from the first page. Munnik has captured a fascinating world of daring with both beauty and heart’ MAHSUDA SNAITH

‘Vivid and meticulous, Katie Munnik’s The Aerialists captures the tangled desires of people living on the thin air of their own daring – a glorious vision of a time, a place, a welter of human manipulations and hopes, and ultimately, their tragic effects. A really fine read’ JOAN BARFOOT

‘Based on a true story, this rich novel will capture your imagination’ BEST magazine

Immersed in the historical and cultural heritage of the late 19th century, The Aerialists by Katie Munnik is a top literary fiction that takes you on a journey from the American Prairies to the streets of Paris and Cardiff. The narrative is a testament to the human spirit, daring to dream and the desire to fly.

For fans of Jonathan Coe (Bournville), Eric Ozawa (More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop), Kristin Hannah (The Nightingale), Maggie O'Farrell (Hamnet), and Natasha Solomons (House of Gold).

HarperCollins 2022

The Aerialists: New historical fiction from the USA Today bestseller

The Aerialists: New historical fiction from the USA Today bestseller