Author:Manuel Rivas,Jonathan Dunne

A glorious cast of animals and birds, as well as humans, relate the magical stories that form the plot of Manuel Rivas's extraordinary novel. An old lady, Misia, tells how the 300 ravens of Xallas are the warrior-poets of the last King of Galicia. A priest, Don Xil, explains to a peasant girl, Rosa, that the beautifully carved women in the local church are not saints, but represent the seven deadly sins. A mouse, Matac-ns, a poacher in his previous life, is chased by a cat, the bagpiper and anarchist, Arturo of Lousame. A bat, Gaspar, relates his own death to a lizard. In a nearby cellar, half the parish are found to have transmigrated into spiders, snails, toads-Manuel Rivas's story emerges like spirals of smoke, in a series of memorably poetic images. His characters have their roots deep in the traditions, legends and history of his beloved Galicia. Few contemporary storytellers share his power of vision and sense of cultural identity, or can narrate their tales with such tenderness and humour.
Scandal, backstabbing, illicit affairs...a fab, girlie read!
—— New WomanMums will be able to see the truth behind this fun novel
—— In The KnowA real laugh-out-loud tale
—— OK! MagazineAn entertaining insight into school politics. You'll laugh and cringe at how cliquey and competitive mums can be.
—— Babyexpert.comGripping . . . splendidly conjures up the sounds, sights, and smells of Dark Age Britain
—— HARRY SIDEBOTTOM, author of the "Warrior of Rome" seriesA magnificent portrayal of how a beautiful young girl might become the first woman ever to win the Grand National
—— SpectatorClassic Cooper: either the perfect beach read or else something to curl up on the sofa with to keep out the encroaching autumn chill
—— Sunday ExpressJilly has given more pleasure to more girls and women than anyone else alive today... Cooper's familiar warmth and irrepressible humour
—— The LadyWarmed by the tender characterisation that has made Jilly Cooper a national treasure
—— CountrylifeJust the thing for a wet winter weekend
—— IndependentUnrivalled joy
—— TatlerA classic romp through the world of horse racing. Guilty pleasures rarely come as delicious as this
—— ElleJilly's descriptions of the glorious Cotswold countryside are some of the most lyrical ever written and her comedies of manners rival Nancy Mitford, if not Jane Austen
—— Daily MailAs plots go you can't get more charming than this
—— Daily ExpressThe narrative zips along, pierced with her characteristically brilliant ear for dialogue and empathy for human relationships of all kinds... You won't be able to put it down once you get going
—— Daily MailA rollicking fantasy
—— Horse and HoundI loved it
—— Rosie BoycottSit back and enjoy the ride as the queen of the bonkbuster, Jilly Cooper, delivers another fabulously entertaining saga
—— Good HousekeepingSharp, funny and touching
—— Times Literary SupplementThe Spoiler - set in the halcyon days before phone hacking - was one of the funniest and sharpest fleet street novels in years.
—— David Robson , Sunday Telegraph SevenMcAfee - herself a former journalist - evokes two distinct eras and styles of journalism, that of fearless frontline reportage and that of its successor: style-oriented, celebrity-obsessed features coverage... This is a pacy read that leaves little doubt in the reader's mind that one school of journalism deserves more mourning than the other
—— Alex Clark , GuardianMarvellous satire...the novel is cunningly plotted and satisfyingly nuanced
—— Independent on SundayIf the peek into the world of newspaper journalism afforded by the Leveson inquiry has you gasping for more, then this timely paperback release is perfect...a fiendishly funny (and frighteningly plausible) world of fiddled expenses and suspect tactics
—— ShortlistThoroughly enjoyable behind-the-scenes expose of an ambitious celebrity journalist's attempt to nail the scoop of her life
—— MetroThis is the paperback edition. The hardback appeared before the News Corporation bosses were dragged into the Commons. McAfee was either very prescient or close to the action, holding her fictional hacks to account for printing false stories gleaned from disreputable sources
—— Julia Fernandez , Time Out






