"Mosley writes with a delicate ruthlessness, an acute sense of aftermath; the impression is of a great fund of energy passing through fastidious controls." --?Guardian
"The novel is thoroughly imagined. It is crowded and detailed, yet, Mr. Mosley is able to satisfy the reader that there is no routine padding. The child Mary, awkward, inarticulate, blown here and there by the strong winds of policy, yet demonstrating that there is a sense in which she is somehow stronger than they, makes Mr. Mosley's points for him, and is most movingly realized." --?"Times Literary Supplement"
"When unmistakably brilliant writing is combined with natural insight, the result is likely to be most impressive. Nicholas Mosley writes realistically, with an admirable craft and surging talent." --?"New York Times"