A tale that is convincing, suspectful and touching * New York Times * Strikingly original * Publishers Weekly * A narrative tour de force, very moving, beautiful and remorseless in its simple logic * Science Fiction, 100 Best Novels * Unflinchingly honest . . . it will make you reflect on your own life . . . and completely and utterly break your heart * Guardian Online * Excellent . . . extremely moving * The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction * A timeless tearjerker * Independent * A masterpiece of poignant brilliance . . . heartbreaking, and utterly, completely brilliant * Guardian * This is one of the greats: a story and a central character that have stayed with me for thirty years, from the first moment I picked it up * Conn Iggulden *