Astonishing ... Luna, Phoenix, Queen brilliantly emphasizes the agony of isolation in its various forms, and the relief that can only come in telling a story for oneself.
Compelling ... Complex ... Line by line, left turn by left turn, insight by insight, Julie Orringer remains at the peak of her powers. We wait with anticipation to see what she tries next.
The women’s relationship is honest and nurturing, and Ms. Orringer portrays it with great sensitivity. Elsewhere, she is less generous. Barr comes off as a caricature of the 'great male narcissists' ... Yet the star of the book is not human at all, but an injured rescue dog, Luna, whom a few of the characters befriend ... Touching.
I read it twice — in part to make sure it was really as good as I thought. It struck me as just about perfect both times ... Heartbreaking and heartwarming ... Each chapter, full of drama and incident, packs the power of a well-crafted short story ... This masterfully plotted, gorgeously moving novel demonstrates how even a severely traumatized, damaged dog can become a source of inspiration and comfort in difficult times.
A heart-seizing, insightful, complexly provocative, and profoundly intentional novel of loneliness and longing, betrayal and rescue, creativity and love.
Exquisite ... Orringer depicts the troubled couple’s inner lives with élan, and she offers fascinating insights into the motivations behind and consequences of literary appropriation. This is superb.
