When Blackbirds Fly (book)

When Blackbirds Fly is a historical novel by Mizo author Hannah Lalhlanpuii, first published on February 7, 2022. The book is part of the "Not Our War" series and is among the pioneering middle-grade historical novels set in Northeast India, specifically focusing on the Mizo community during the 1966 bombing of Aizawl. It provides a sensitive portrayal of the impact of conflict on children and civilians.

Plot

The narrative centers around an unnamed adolescent boy living in Aizawl with his father and grandfather. His life is characterized by simple joys and close friendships with Rini, a talkative girl, and Zuala, whose father is involved in the independence movement. Despite the growing political unrest and the activities of the Mizo National Front (MNF) advocating for Mizoram's independence, the protagonist remains largely indifferent, focusing instead on his personal aspirations and daily life.

This semblance of normalcy is abruptly disrupted when the Indian Air Force conducts aerial bombings over Aizawl in March 1966, aiming to suppress the MNF-led insurgency. The sudden violence forces the young boy and his community into a harrowing journey of survival, confronting the brutal realities of war and its profound impact on civilians, especially children.