Snowleg Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2004

This novel is one of the finest attempts in English to convey something of two very strange places which no longer appear on the map of Europe... Shakespeare has told a very skilful story Evening Standard

"This novel is one of the finest attempts in English to convey something of two very strange places which no longer appear on the map of Europe... Shakespeare has told a very skilful story" Evening Standard "Offers more than high romance: it is a portrait, and a good one, of the East Germany of the Stasi, with its bleakly beautiful landscapes, its casual betrayals, and its subtle capacity to dehumanise" Daily Telegraph "His finest book yet. Beautifully written, rich in character, it displays all the courage for which its hero so desperately wants to be recognised" Economist "A heart-warming tale of rich, enabling coincidence and conquering love; love without frontiers" Guardian "Elegant metaphors, striking insights, eidetic settings and sensitive renditions of character - Shakespeare's writing is of a high order. Impressive" Time Out