'Breathtaking' -- James Urquhart, Independent 'A love story with the grip and suspense of a thriller. It makes you ponder human existence with a peculiar mixture of stoicism and wonder.' -- Noonie Minogue, Times Literary Supplement 'Defiantly complex and frequently dazzling ... she has created a conceptually exciting work that demands we think, but which still allows us room to feel.' -- Alex Clark, Sunday Times 'Substantial, moving and beautifully written' -- Christian House, Independent on Sunday 'A big, wide, sensuous novel - clever, sinister, yet attractively real' -- Julie Myerson, Guardian 'A consummately intelligent novel, highly literate but also intensely moving.' -- Jackie McGlone, Scotsman 'Riveting ! erudite and immensely detailed ! a rich, densely textured and utterly absorbing novel' -- Lesley Glaister 'Subtle, compassionate, wise, and supremely intelligent, it's a striking achievement.' -- Kieron Corless, Time Out 'Hustvedt ranks amongst the finest American writers working today' -- Jennifer O'Connell, Sunday Business Post 'A powerful novel of love, loss and longing, exquisitely written' -- Anne Donovan, Sunday Herald