Prepare to be seriously charmed. * The Times *
The descriptions of England - as friend, adversary and eventually homne - are exquisite. Jack Rosenblum, a foolish, deeply sympathetic protagonist, is exasperating and admirable in equal measure. A touching, surprising and satisfying read. * Sadie Jones, author of The Outcast *
Utterly charming and very funny * Paul Torday, author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen *
In her charming debut, Natasha Solomons folds together Jewish baking, golf and Dorset folklore to create a singular comic confection... Solomons crafts a fine pastoral comedy from Jack's eccentric endeavours to reshape the land and from his encounters with rustic labourers who seem to have absconded from the pages of a Hardy novel... Sadie provides a touching counterpoint to the comedy... Much of the delight in this novel stems from Solomons' feeling for types of traditional knowledge that are on the verge of obsolescence. * Telegraph *
The light yet poignant tone makes for an unusual, richly comic novel...a treat of a book. * Guardian *
An affectionate portrait of a spirited man trying to find a little corner of the world where he can truly belong...[Solomons] successfully treads the fine line between comedy and the precarious plight of refugees in an entertaining tale that has resonances in contemporary Britain. * Herald *
A subtle and moving examination of the dilemma faced by immigrants to modern Britain. * Observer *
A tender exploration of the nature of home. * Marie Claire *
Written with and skill, humour and sympathy * The Lady *
[Solomons] has an exceptional feel for the Dorset countryside. * Country Life *
A delightful tale of one man's determination to fulfil his dream. * Stylist *
'The descriptions of England - as friend, adversary and eventually homne - are exquisite. Jack Rosenblum, a foolish, deeply sympathetic protagonist, is exasperating and admirable in equal measure. A touching, surprising and satisfying read.' * Sadie Jones, author of The Outcast *
'Utterly charming and very funny' * Paul Torday, author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen *
'In her charming debut, Natasha Solomons folds together Jewish baking, golf and Dorset folklore to create a singular comic confection... Solomons crafts a fine pastoral comedy from Jack's eccentric endeavours to reshape the land and from his encounters with rustic labourers who seem to have absconded from the pages of a Hardy novel... Sadie provides a touching counterpoint to the comedy... Much of the delight in this novel stems from Solomons' feeling for types of traditional knowledge that are on the verge of obsolescence.' * Telegraph *
delightful debut...Solomon's narrative has shades of both P.G. Wodehouse and Isabel Allende...There are also echoes of Jez Butterworth's play Jerusalem in this whimsical novel's deep seam of inquiry into the nature of Englishness. * TLS *
almost irritatingly impressive...she strikes the perfect note with simple, evocative metaphors. I was forced to accept that this was a rare treat; a debut novel that is pretty much flawless... * The Times *
Sprinkled with a hint of magic, this debut is a delight. * Daily Mail *
