The Light and the Dark delves into the captivating story of Vladimir, a young man who goes to an unnamed war, and Alexandra, who stays behind living an ordinary life. Through their heartfelt letters, they share the joys, sorrows, and everyday experiences that bind them together. However, as readers immerse themselves in their words, they discover that time has been disunited, and the boundaries of reality have become blurred, like fragments of a nonsensical rhyme.

Set against the backdrop of shifting eras, the story takes us from Alexandra's life in the 1960s to Vladimir's involvement in the Boxers uprising in China at the turn of the twentieth century. Though Vladimir meets an untimely death, his letters continue to arrive, defying the boundaries of time and mortality. Alexandra, even after marriage and personal tragedies, writes to him as if their words exist in a parallel universe, where time holds no sway, and death loses its grip.

The Light and the Dark explores the profound mysteries of life and love transcending death. Mikhail Shishkin's intricate storytelling elevates this tale to new heights, earning him numerous international literary awards and drawing comparisons to the greatest authors of our time.