Sophisticated comedy-what gives it its distinction is the quality of observation and the unusual marriage of high spirits with melancholy awareness of the passing of time

Irresistible

An acute observer of manners and styles

Here is an imagination that effortlessly brings character after character to valiant, preposterous, malevolent or desperate life. Here is a writer who deserves to be far more widely read

It has a lightness, a breadth... an impressive energy and a humane comedy... Entertaining and affecting

Why is he not spoken of in the same breath as Amis, Barnes and co? One of the best novels I have read this year

The only bad thing about this novel is that it had to end