A luminous and enthralling story of birds, science, ambition, and sacrifice unfolds through the life of Meridian Wallace. From the Second World War to the dawn of the new millennium, she grapples with her identity amid societal expectations. In 1941, determined to honor her mother's sacrifices, Meridian secures a place at the University of Chicago to study ornithology. Unexpectedly, she falls for her brilliant physics professor, Alden Whetstone, who is soon recruited for a secret wartime project in Los Alamos. Deferring her plans to join him, she commits a year of her life to Alden. However, in a world where a wife cannot be a scientist, Meridian faces the challenge of balancing her ambitions with her relationship. What begins as an electrifying intellectual partnership evolves into a complex bond. As the years pass, Meridian fights against the constraints that seek to clip her wings, encountering both heartache and unexpected opportunities for freedom, friendship, and transformation. Her journey reflects the struggle between personal desire and societal roles, making her story one of resilience and self-discovery.
