"The spare elegance of the five contemporary short stories underscores their thematic concern with survival--both physical and psychological--in even the starkest, grimmest circumstances....Blending realism with subtle irony, Luban makes history come vividly alive in these captivating tales....An accomplished collection."
Booklist
"The view of the Jew as alien, secret observer, someone who is not what he or she seems, reverberates through these five tales...Luban's strong narrative voice gives her stories brio, depth, humor, and a fiercely personal point of view."
Library Journal
"What a pleasure to read such full-bodied stories by an author not afraid of a little melodrama and a few happy endings."
The Detroit News
"This book includes five elegant contemporary short stories that flow out of Jewish history. The themes center on the great talent of the Jew to survive. Interwoven are richly drawn characters, psychological twists and subtle irony. These stories are like five gems set in the ring of Jewish circumstance...an exciting collection that is well-researched and well-written. Its turns and twists keep the reader's interest alive...these stories are a sensitive commentary on the point at which the human condition and Jewishness intersect each other, and should not be missed by the thoughtful reader."
The American Jewish World
"This is the type of book that you curl up with on one of those cold, wintry nights. Marianne Luban's collection of short stories makes you forget the winter blahs."
The Jewish Post & Opinion
"Luban is at her best when she empoys her own quirky and romantic voice...these five short stories on Jewish subjects are set in Israel, the U.S., England and ancient Samaria. But whatever the scene, the subject is love...touching and feels right on target."
St. Petersburg Times