Insufficient Light

A small country in the midst of great storms and the unconditional friendship of women in the face of death: the insufficient light is a novel of epic, dramatic brilliance, an ode to Georgia, Tbilisi and its people - an explanation of eternal love.

"Here we are, a trio who survived, who managed to jump into the present, we, the survivors, try to continue living instead of all those people who were not taken by fate and remained young forever in these photos."

"What a gift for readers! Nino Kharatishvili is a brilliant storyteller gifted with a special talent, he brings many historical eras to life before our eyes. Obsessed with excitement, shaken, we will go to Dina, Ira, Nene and Keto and we only want one thing - the story will never end." – Maria-Kristina Pivovarski

After gaining the long-awaited freedom, the young state of Georgia is torn apart in chaos. Between the enchanting wooden balconies and damp walls of old Tbilisi, in the late 80s, four girls connect their fates: Dina, a longing for freedom, Ira, a smart outsider, the nephew of the city's most powerful "thief in law", romantic Nene and sensitive Keto. Their friendship endures everything - a great and hidden first love, street violence, a frozen city without electricity, heroin flowing into the country, the fragility of a young democracy and civil war - until their union is shattered by an unforgivable betrayal and another tragic death...

Years later, they meet again at a large photo retrospective in Brussels in honor of their deceased friend. The exhibited photos tell their story, which is also the history of their country. The intimate setting forces old friends to pull back the curtain on the past and maybe forgive.

Nino Kharatishvili tells the story of the lost land and the lost generation in rich, emotional language; the story of a revolution that devours its own children; It tells about love and betrayal and the unconditional friendship of four women fighting against fate.

It is worth noting that the latter is published in English by one of the largest publishing houses, HarperCollins, and the novel was also among the ten best books of this year's Berlinale, which are recommended to film artists.