RaveThe Associated Press... ambitious ... It is clear from the first page that Kidd is courageous in imagining the life of Jesus as a married man. How many authors would take this on? But her painstaking research and artful crafting of setting and character ensures that The Book of Longings is not just an extraordinary novel, but one with lasting power ... Yaltha is indeed a fascinating character, who sees and experiences tragedy but refuses to be victimized ... Kidd’s brilliance shines through on so many levels, but not the least in her masterful, reverential approach to capturing Jesus of Nazareth as a fully human young man in his 20s. One who loves and worships God but also works to support his mother and siblings, and takes a wife whom he loves, respects and nicknames Little Thunder. He is not shocked by or opposed to her rebellious nature or her desire to follow her own longings. Rather, he is drawn to it...The result is an epic masterpiece that is a triumph of insight and storytelling.
Louise Erdrich
RaveThe Associated Press... stunning ... the connection between Erdrich’s characters and the natural world is unbreakable, and some of her most evocative passages are dedicated to this relationship ... Erdrich has chosen a story that is near to her heart, and it shines through on every page
Louise Erdrich
RaveThe Philadelphia Inquirer...stunning ... Erdrich — the best-selling author and National Book Award winner — weaves the stories of other beautifully crafted characters against the backdrop of an impoverished reservation community on the Northern Plains of Minnesota ... the connection between Erdrich’s characters and the natural world is unbreakable, and some of her most evocative passages are dedicated to this relationship ... Erdrich has chosen a story that is near to her heart, and it shines through on every page.
Jane Thynne
PositiveThe Associated Press... a welcome addition to the wealth of literature capturing this doomed period and place ... highlights the dangers of underplaying the power of divisive societal forces ... The beauty of Thynne’s novel is in the details. The vivid snapshots of life in Europe leading up to, during and after the war surprise and satisfy the most devoted readers of this genre.
Martin Cruz Smith
MixedThe Associated Press... disappoints ... First, the good news. We\'ve still got lovable Arkady — the underdog and rare example of a police investigator who refuses to butter up his superiors. And Smith creates secondary characters that jump off the page and into the hearts of the reader ... In general, though, the novel lacks the exciting twists and turns of Smith\'s earlier novels. The waves of suspense are less stormy peaks, and more like the wake of a passing motorboat. And then there is the Siberian dilemma itself, which is recycled from Gorky Park. Readers have long memories ... Smith introduces an interesting subplot with Aba...but that peters out. And the theme running throughout the book highlighting the dangers of investigative journalism in Russia certainly rings true, but the implied threat against Renko\'s beloved Tatiana, who is reporting on Siberian oligarchs, fails to build to a crescendo ... In the end, Smith creates a mystery that is diverting enough for fans of Arkady Renko, but it isn\'t likely to win over new converts.
Jojo Moyes
PositiveThe Associated PressWhile her novel is set in the midst of the Great Depression, Moyes crafts a tale that’s remarkably contemporary ... Inspired by the history of the actual Pack Horse Librarians, Moyes depicts the courage and resourcefulness of these women in loving detail. The Giver of Stars is a tribute not just to the brave women who brought the light of knowledge in dark times, but also to the rejuvenating bond of women’s friendship.
Tracy Chevalier
RaveThe Associated PressChevalier is a master of subtlety. It’s the small things—the victory of an even stitch or the reverberating impact of a cathedral bell—that allows the reader to hop aboard the Violet empowerment train ... The best-selling novelist has done a masterful job of depicting the circumstances of a generation of women we seldom think about: the mothers, sisters, wives and fiances of men lost in World War I, whose job it was to remember those lost but not forgotten.
