“Strouse, in acquainting us with the younger sister of William and Henry James, has…written a Jamesian novel, subtle, evasive, embroidered, splendid.”

John Leonard, The New York Times

“…a portrait of the inner workings of the entire [James] family.”

Colm Tóibín, Introduction to Alice James

“Brilliant…  Jean Strouse has created a fascinating picture of ‘woman’s place’ in a family of genius and throws a searching light on the price a woman sometimes pays when reared in such a hothouse.”

Leon Edel

“Judicious and beautifully written”

Diane Johnson, The New York Times Book Review