A worthy sequel... His book is not only an impressive recreation of James's atmospheres and pacing, but also full of minor cliff-hangers and page-turning suspenses that keep you guessing

A brilliant feat of literary ventriloquism... Richly enjoyable and enthralling, this exercise in creative empathy is a sequel of very high finish

John Banville is one of the best novelists in English, and an expert ventriloquist, among other things . . . Mrs Osmond is both a remarkable novel in its own right and a superb pastiche

It's brilliant. It's John Banville camouflaged as Henry James - it's very, very interesting

Written with near-Jamesian elegance

John Banville has long been the most distinctive Irish novelist of his generation

This is a superbly written novel ... Mrs Osmond represents an important contribution to Banville's impressive oeuvre

John Banville is simply the finest writer at work today, a prolific prose stylist whose work has only deepened in quality throughout his career

Banville is one of the writers I admire the most - few people can create an image as beautifully or precisely

This engrossing and often beautiful novel is a true work of art that rewards careful reading

The Booker prize winning author - widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in English today - has produced what many already consider a literary masterpiece

Banville's sequel to Henry James's "Portrait of a Lady" follows Isabel Archer back to Rome and the possible end of her marriage

An astonishing act of literary ventriloquism

Uncannily good at replicating James's style, it pays appealing tribute to his genius

John Banville channelled Henry James in the Portrait of a Lady sequel

From the very first page, I was gripped by the enchanting prose that Liese O’Halloran Schwarz has produced. Her language is beautiful. She communicates so much in such seemingly simple sentences. The book feels like an easy read, but underneath is a story that is worth telling, full of human problems and emotions.

This book simply was an absolute delight to read. It's a story of epic proportions spanning a hundred years. It tells of impossible things made real. It blurs boundaries and spans generations. The writing flows and before you know it you're halfway through the book. It's such an uplifting story about the kindness of human nature and what it means to be alive. I loved every word.

The story is beautiful

I loved this book…Highly recommended