Three Apples Fell from the Sky

'I loved this! A tender and quirky tale of stoicism, resilience and love... The ultimate feel-good story of an unlikely romance and the warmth of a community, drawn with humour, empathy and an earthy, magical charm.'

'At the charming heart of Three Apples Fell from the Sky, pulses the certain knowledge that 'it takes a village' – a village to bleed, to weep, and, finally, to laugh and celebrate as one.'

'A charming novel... [It] teems with minor characters whose quirks are at times amusing and at times heartbreaking... A warm-hearted story about family, friendship, and community.'

'Abgaryan's folktale [is] so improbably of the moment... [her] leisurely, painstaking prose — in Hayden’s lyrical translation — is an added gift for readers at the moment, because it prompts us to adjust to the 'measured pace of existence' that is now also our own.'

'A poignant, bittersweet, fable-like story... The strongest message that shines through this finely translated novel is that resignation need not lead to cynicism.'

'With finely phrased descriptions of daily activities and homes with 'chimneys that clung to the hem of the sky,' and indelible details of complex, humble characters, this magical tale transcends familiar mystical tropes with its fresh reimagining of Armenian folklore.'

'Suffused with kindness, humour, subtlety and understated finesse.'

'Read this book. It's balm for the soul.'

'Abgaryan's descriptions are beautifully written... I couldn't put this book down.'

'A superb novel... I urge you to read it.'

'A perfect book for anyone who wants to learn more about Armenia: its customs, its beliefs, traditions and history... A heartfelt, delicate novel.'

'Abgaryan’s work conveys a deep belief in the resilience of humanity without glossing over the horrors of human conflict.'

'A novel about ordinary life, written with extraordinary sensitivity and tenderness.'

'I loved this! A tender and quirky tale of stoicism, resilience and love. Set in a remote Russian village, it is the ultimate feel-good story of an unlikely romance and the warmth of a community, drawn with humour, empathy and an earthy, magical charm. Its characters spring from the page, with their flaws, trials and hardships, as their lives are resolved in a way that will bring a smile of satisfaction and contentment.'

'The novel’s plot consists of multiple stories of very ordinary but bold and beautiful people, with so much love and humour that you cannot fail to go away feeling positive and uplifted.'

'A quiet song of a novel. A novel that opens and lingers... that sweeps over you like a wave on a beach.'

'A magical novel. It manages to be life-affirming without descending into cheap sentimentality... Abgaryan achieves this challenging balance in part through the beauty of the novel's prose, which mimics the oral storytelling of myths and legends.'

'To render the richness of Maran’s culture, translator Lisa C. Hayden confidently navigates the linguistic complexities of this book... Her translation is visual and sensory... Dramatic and humorous.'

'Abgaryan's affectionate portrayal of rural rhythms and unlikely romance is an absolute joy.'

'Charming… A celebration of community with a supernatural dimension that gives it the air of a fable, it's a compassionate, heartwarming novel.'