Utterly convincing and compelling ... a stunning feat of the imagination and an absolute must-read for lovers of historical fiction

Staggeringly imaginative ... Breathtakingly good, it reveals the best and worst in all of us

An extraordinary work combining history and imagination. At times I was moved to tears, at others, immensely proud to be bred from a tradition that made warriors of women

One of the boldest of recent adventures in historical fiction ... richly textured, robustly plotted

A powerful novel, alive with the love, deceit, wisdom and the heroics of humanity

'Make sure you have a lot of time on your hands before you open Lesley Marshall's debut novel, A Girl Could Stand Up. You'll find it hard to tear yourself away'

'A page-turner that will disarm and charm. A stand-out talent'

'Utterly real...rendered with truthfulness and charm'

'Lively, slightly breathless comic narrative...this game is worth the candle'

'Fun, funny, fast-paced'

'Distinctive debut novel'