Anatoly Pristavkin's harrowing novel, 'The Cuckoo's Chicks', plunges readers into the brutal world of orphaned children in the Soviet Union during World War II. The story follows two young boys, Kolya and Sasha, who escape a children's home plagued by hunger and disease, hoping to reach the Caucasus and find a better life. Their journey is fraught with unimaginable hardships, betrayal, and violence, forcing them to confront the darkest aspects of humanity. Pristavkin masterfully depicts the struggle for survival, the loss of innocence, and the enduring bonds of brotherhood against a backdrop of war-torn landscapes. This poignant work serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.