Elizabeth Taylor's darkest novel . . . She writes with a sensuous richness of language that draws the reader down the most shadowy paths . . . Extremely beguiling. Taylor makes the living moment present, touchable, disturbing, enchanting * Helen Dunmore *
Taylor is a fearsome writer, ruthless in her examination of solitude, and a sparkling chronicler of ordinary lives * DAILY TELEGRAPH *
Taylor's marvellous, dark novel of 1949 ... The writing is so perfectly pitched that one almost resents becoming aware of the novel's elegant structure unfolding itself towards completion * Guardian *
Elizabeth Taylor is finally being recognised as an important British author: an author of great subtlety, great compassion and great depth. As a reader, I have found huge pleasure in returning to Taylor's novels and short stories many times over. As a writer I've returned to her too - in awe of her achievements, and trying to work out how she does it * Sarah Waters *
