RaveIrish Independent (IRE)Each of the stories is set against a different backdrop and MacLaverty imparts fascinating details about a whole host of areas—plant life, art, sculpture, music, cinema—while simultaneously giving an extra dimension to his principal characters, rooting them in real life. The author paints women very well ... One of the most powerful stories is ‘Soup Mix’, which is about a son who on a business trip to his hometown decides to fit in a visit to his mother in her nursing home ... It’s full of little details that are as true to real life as they are hear-trending ... Despite the sad themes, the stories are full of warmth and wit ... Older readers will enjoy the nostalgia for some long forgotten traditions...while all readers will enjoy the almost cinematic prose ... A master at work.
