Impressive... The extended conclusion is expertly done; the sense of loss it conjures, lasting

Caryl Phillips is an alpha-class writer, both as a phrase-maker and an observer of human nature

There is rich material here

A good book... extremely well done

A sharply observed slice of modern British life, cutting across race, class and generational divides to reveal the complexities we're constantly negotiating

Urgent and enquiring

There are some moving passages, notably his father's arresting deathbed monologue about the racism and brutality he endured in an unfairly hard life

Phillips subtly conveys a changing sense of attitude and perspective... It is a bleak message, brilliantly delivered