A historical romance of a grand, old-fashioned and very British variety, with hints of L.P. Hartley, D.H. Lawrence and Evelyn Waugh — an impressive feat for an American author writing many decades after them ... Where the first section, told from Marion’s perspective, is smooth, subtle and often ravishing, even as it juggles multiple threads and timelines, the shift to Jamie’s perspective feels overwhelmed ... Cross is a clever world builder, but in a tale with a fairly simple premise...the threads around Jamie’s story often feel like a tangled study in tedium ... Cross remains a talented ventriloquist. Her eye for detail and her romantic language transport the reader ... Believably charming ... Astute ... There is also real daring and originality in her portrayal of the sexuality ... Though sometimes tricky and bloated, the first and final sections of Amanda are compelling and ultimately convincing, which is one of the most difficult things a love story can be.
Mesmerizing, haunting, hopeful ... The elliptical style isn’t easy, but it’s worth the effort. That Cross’ voice—some combination of Edna O’Brien, Muriel Spark, and maybe a pinch of Jane Austen—comes from a contemporary American writer is hard to believe.
