Breathtaking. Exquisite in plot, technique, description. Romance and mystery and crime, all harmonically tied and delivered.

A political and philosophical masterpiece; a decisive statement to human pathos, and a great allegorical depiction of Latin American soul and history.

An immaculate ethography of society, and an excellent example of great characterisation.

I love Marquez, his talent, his ingenuity, and his brave, non-favourable approach to human frailty and pathos. And I love this book.

For such a short story, this is a brilliant sample of characterisation, and the narration of universal truths.

Marquez strikes back, with one of his most enjoyable and witty novels on vanity, stupidity and cursedness.

A fabulous noir, with exemplary characterisation.

I consider this to be Coelho's most mature and intelligent novel to date, depicting humanity in its true colours.

It's not just the singular concept that drew me to this book, but also the smooth path of narration the author takes, in order to reveal the every day, familiar life of a very special person.

Brilliant consistent character portaits. Doyle offers his readers a great and realistic insight on domestic violence, and the fragility of its victims.