
Press Reviews
Charlotte Mendelson
One of my favourite novels: a life-enhancing, twentieth-century masterpiece
Sarah Waters
Holtby's personal masterpiece: a novel that works beautifully on all sorts of levels, capturing the life of a whole community even as it offers us the passions, frustrations and tragedies of individual lives . . . I can't say enough good things about this book
Vera Brittain
A triumph of personality, a testament of its author's undaunted philosophy
- Guardian
While the novel undoubtedly remains a fascinating depiction of a time and place, it is more than that. In its portrait of the workings of a community, in its celebration of social spirit, and in Burton's final urging of her girls to serve yet also to challenge and question and strive, it feels both timely and necessary
- Independent
Rich in humour and worldly insight . . . this panoramic story of local politics stands as testament not only to Holtby's strong belief in public service
- Kirkus Reviews
The chief interest of the book . . . lies in the panoramic view of the community, with individuals coming out in sharp relief, dramatic and humorous and tragic
- Vera Brittain
a triumph of personality, a testament of its author's undaunted philosophy