Like Nadas's highly praised A Book of Memories, this is a moving, always unusual novel...it lifts the reader into the sort of deeply imagined personal experience that can only be achieved by good fiction

A hypnotically beautiful novel

Peter Nadas is unique in that he both fictionalises the storytelling impulse and explores its origins in the consciousness of a child... A magnificent novel... A genuine work of art

'A beguiling, romantic story in an illuminating and surprising setting'

This is Elton at his best - mature, humane, and still a laugh a minute. At least

Only Ben Elton could combine uncomfortable questions about gender politics with a gripping, page-turning narrative and jokes that make you laugh out loud

A very funny book about a sensitive subject ... Ben Elton the writer might even be funniter than Ben Elton the comic

The selections from the greats are generous and well chosen