‘An absolute knockout. Brilliant, passionate and very alarming . . . as exhilarating on St Petersburg as Isherwood’s writings on Berlin, but the sexuality is much less coy . . . candour of every kind . . . It has everything.’
                        Michael Ratcliffe, Observer

 

‘A classic, even a definitive account of sudden and overpowering obsession.’
                   Simon Callow, Evening Standard

 

‘Fallowell is a consummate stylist and his book is an immensely original picture of life and love in the new Russia. Wild energy and louche humour.’
                                                                                      The Scotsman

‘High energy and disarming courage . . . If you’re tired of life, read this and be revived.’
         The Big Issue

‘The narrative is ablaze . . . a writer in and of our time.’
                                              Lesley Chamberlain, The Times

 

‘ . . . quite unlike any other book about St Petersburg by a European writer.’
           Professor Anthony Cross, Dept of Slavonic Studies, University of Cambridge

‘Glitzy, louche and funny . . . with a wild, vivid energy tapping the zeitgeist and hitting the heart where it hurst most.’
                        Cathy Porter, Independent on Sunday

‘ . . . nosy, knowledgeable, romantic and extrovert . . . Altogether unique.’
                                                                                                             Daily Telegraph

‘ . . . the most heartwarming and brilliantly written picture of life in Russia that I have ever read.’
       Richard Freeborn, Professor of Russian Literature, University of London

 

 

'Fallowell's evocation of the new St Petersburg is a stunning tour de force'
Anthony Cross, St Petersburg and the British