Dina Rubina is a contemporary prose writer, laureate of the Russian "Big Book" prize. Her novels and stories have been adapted into films multiple times. "Boys" is the intriguing beginning, the first book of the new large novel "Designer Jorka." In the home of ten-year-old Itsik, 387 clocks count time in different voices. This unique collection, gathered by his father and grandfather, skilled watchmakers, must be left behind. The Hitlerite army is advancing towards Poland. Itsik's family first ends up in Soviet Astrakhan, then in Bukhara. Itsik himself is now called Caesar. But one thing remains unchanged—the boy dreams of returning home, to their family collection... These dreams will push him to a crime that journalists will call nothing less than "The Elegant Robbery." Decades later, the secret of "The Elegant Robbery" will be revealed to Designer Jorka. He is also known as Jorg, Georg, Jurgen, Schörs—depending on the country of residence. But for now, he is just the orphaned boy Jorka, obsessed with hiding places and numbers. And a new acquaintance has just appeared in his life—the elderly mechanic-laboratory assistant Caesar Adamovich. This fateful meeting promises Jorka an adventurous journey, a fateful love, and a confrontation with his best friend. Editor's recommendation on what else to read by Dina Rubina: "White Dove of Cordova," "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "Petrushka Syndrome," "Russian Canary" Trilogy, "On Verkhnyaya Maslovka," "Leonardo's Handwriting," "Babiy Veter," "Napoleon's Caravan" Trilogy