Critical Praise

"No bare-bones plot summary can do justice to this wonderfully wise and compellingly readable tale of love and friendship in all their forms, of family uncircumscribed by biological bonds, and of loss worse than death. A remarkable first novel, worth savoring."

—Booklist

"Winman’s debut boasts one of the more endearingly unconventional families in a while. A freshly rendered tale of growing up and living in the world by a late-starting author with a bright future."

—Kirkus

"Affecting and original."

—Library Journal

"Winman shows impressive range and vision in breaking out of the muted coming-of-age mold, and the narrative’s intensity will appeal to readers who like a little gloom."

—Publishers Weekly