‘Failures of communication seem both tragic and inevitable in a novel that reveals its author’s awareness of the complexities involved in personal and political relationships too often portrayed as stereotypes.’ Sunday Times 'Oates is such an intelligent writer, and one who is also always highly readable.' Independent on Sunday 'Oates is digging her pen into the sensitive heart of the race question, with all the intelligence and humanity we have come to expect from this brilliant and bafflingly prolific writer.' The Times ‘A compelling…read.' Daily Telegraph ‘Where the novel truly stands out is in its depiction of its two protagonists. Genna is a fine portrait on the coruscating effects of guilt on a young soul. Her halting, self-lacerating voice is painfully acute, such as when she ponders whether the persecution of her roommate is just a malicious dormitory prank or much worse.’ Guardian ‘This is a riveting, painful deception of white guilt, youthful regret and unrequited passion set in America's years of crisis following the end of the Vietnam War' Daily Mail 'The prolific Oates is bang on form with this one, a cunningly loaded mix of post-Nixon paranoia, public racism and private madness.' Metro