'Her words sparkle and fizz. She's never dull or conversational. Her work is like poetry in its scrupulousness and writerly care, yet at the same time it's devastatingly everyday ... Tuck into this mouthwatering collection for sustenance and delight'

Michele Roberts, Independent on Sunday

'For sheer writerly distinction this year, my palm goes to Candia McWilliam for her collection of short stories'

Joanna Trollope, Daily Telegraph Books of the Year

'The flaunt of the writing asks for admiration ... this is Candia McWilliam at her remarkable best'

Helen Dunmore, The Times

'McWilliam is a magically originaly writer, arranging words like sweets, making phrases sumptuously fortuitous'

Julie Myerson, Mail on Sunday