"City of Thieves" is a novel set during World War II, focusing on two unlikely friends, a young Jewish man named Lev and a Russian soldier named Kolya. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Leningrad's harsh winter, as the city faces a brutal siege. The characters are thrown together in a dire situation, where they must navigate danger and deprivation while forming a deep bond and discovering resilience in the face of adversity.
The story begins with Lev's capture by the Nazis and his subsequent meeting with Kolya, who is also in trouble. They are given a seemingly impossible task: to find a dozen eggs for a wedding cake, a mission that reflects the absurdity and desperation of their circumstances. Their journey leads them through war-torn Leningrad, encountering various challenges and colorful characters that emphasize both the horror of war and the endurance of the human spirit.