‘A startlingly impressive debut. This marvellous – and very moving – book tells its Korean story stylishly and with great skill.’ William Trevor ‘A warm and warming evocation of landscape and memory. Stout’s lively sense of language and culture shows her to be a writer of great promise.’ Daily Telegraph ‘Stout’s descriptions bring Korea’s stately, cultured civilization and heavenly landscape into sharp focus like a jewel-colored miniature.’ Independent on Sunday ‘Mira Stout not only grapples with the deep conundrum that is mixed-race identity, but also grabs with both hands the extraordinary history of turbulent twentieth-century Korea. The writing is encrusted with details like colored sequins. An extremely ambitious first book.’ The Times ‘The story of the family’s survival is gripping and horrifying, all the more terrifying because it is told with the calm recollection of authenticity. This is a wonderful [book], vibrant and funny, moving and immensely exciting.’ Glasgow Herald ‘There is much to enjoy – witty observations on cultural differences and gripping accounts of violence and upheaval. Mira Stout has an extremely important tale to tell.’ Observer