Romain Gary is the only French writer who has been awarded the Goncourt Prize twice: the first time under the name of Gary for the novel “Roots of Heaven” (1956), the second — under the pseudonym Emile Azhar for the book “The whole life is ahead” (1975). After the “Azhar” epic — one of the most high—profile literary hoaxes of the twentieth century - when the public and critics did not recognize the handwriting of the famous prose writer in Azhar's texts, Gary released his latest novel “Kites" and soon committed suicide.This is a novel about the Second World War, about the occupation, about the French Resistance, but most importantly — about love. The Norman boy Ludo has been in love with a girl of his age named Lila, who belongs to the highest Polish aristocracy, since the age of ten. The difference in social status causes him a lot of torment and humiliation. Ludo is an orphan. He is raised by his uncle, a rural postman who makes kites. These colorful paper figures, ships, flying fortresses soar into the sky, making the boy believe that any earthly obstacles can be overcome. The war begins, and the grown-up Ludo enters the fight for his love and for the liberation of France from the Nazis.