Exquisite time travel . . . Every detail - from fashion, design and music to social tribes and verbal tics - is spot on

Wonderfully evokes that ping-pong between trivial and tremendous so characteristic of the Eighties . . . great on atmosphere . . . An engaging debut, alive with human sympathy

Engrossing . . . brilliantly captures the complexities of female friendship

A poignant look at the juggling act women must maintain if they're to carve out a career, and how friendships define life's tribulations

Warm and entertaining . . . captures the excitement of being young and glamorous at a time when the sky really did seem to be the limit

'Sapphic sex, shoulder pads and Spandau Ballet . . . Too seductive a storyline to wait for the inevitable film

Shulman's well-executed debut is committed to portraying life in all its contradictory, chaotic, celebratory form. A novel both full of heart and comfortable in its own skin

An impressive debut . . . the best-quality chick-lit available and a thoroughly enjoyable summer read

A fun summer read . . . a page-turner, making me nostalgic for a time when youthful female friendships had to be worked at, face to face over a bottle of wine and some nasty pink taramasalata, rather than simply maintained with a few mouse clicks and a "share" button

An enjoyable romp back to a more flamboyant time

Shulman has a terrific eye for the small yet telling detail

The Fun Stuff displays the steely verve that makes James Wood's criticism thrilling for literature specialists and general readers alike.

This collection is, as the title suggests, a lot of fun. Even when you disagree with his judgements, it's impossible not to be dazzled by the breadth of his reading.

[A] seriously enjoyable collection of essays by the New Yorker's resident literary critic

James Wood writes superbly about writing

This scintillating collection offers trenchant analysis and original insight into the works of a wide range of important writers

Viewed through Wood's eyes, even the best-known novels appear before us looking naked and strange

[Wood's] encyclopaedic knowledge and compact, energetic prose makes him an illuminating and acerbic guide to literary giants

[Wood] delivers some golden insights

[Wood's] insight into writing is impressive and the sheer joy that he takes in others' literary dexterity is infectious

A panoramic look at the modern novel

Elegant little novel and a real delight to read