«A beautiful and engrossing work»

Independent on Sunday

«Richly accomplished... Dazzling»

Sunday Times

«Excellent... Meticulously researched and vividly imagined, both gripping and thoughtful»

Sunday Telegraph

«From the first paragraphs we know ourselves to be in the hands of a major novelist... A compelling narrative, beautifully controlled... This novel is Barnes at his best»

P D James, The Times

«As ever, Barnes serves up a master-class in character observation, lavishing attention on the minutiae of personality, the subtle and conflicting impulses that drive men and women. Barnes seems equipped to write with humour and elegance about anything he turns his attention to»

Financial Times