"The quirkiest, smartest murder-mystery I have read in some time. The complex heroine (Smilla) is at once fragile and unbreakable, determined and fearful. A wonderful read."
"Don't be discouraged by the sheer size of this novel, it is well worth your time. The author narrates the fascinating tale of her family and, consequently, the tumultuous history of China."
"Just wonderful. Intense, heartbreaking, harrowing. The heroine (Astrid) is fascinating, tough, smart but far from perfect. In some ways she is the least broken of all."