Journalist Jack Walser interviews Fevvers, a winged aerialist who claims to be half-swan, in a fantastical, turn-of-the-century circus.

Carter blends Victorian spectacle with feminist themes and magical realism, creating a vibrant, theatrical world. Fevvers' ambiguous nature (is she truly part bird, or is it a hoax?) challenges conventional notions of reality and identity.

The novel explores themes of performance, gender, and the power of belief, using a richly imaginative and playful style. It blends circus life with mythical elements.