"An agile and assured debut . . . In each of these stylistically old-school yet freshly envisioned morality tales, Penkov burnishes brute circumstances to surprising beauty." —Elle
"Splendid . . . These stories are not the promising work of a first-time author. They are already a promise fulfilled—wise, bright, and deep with sympathy."
—Alec Solomita,
The New Republic "Like Aleksandar Hemon, Ha Jin, and Edwidge Danticat, Penkov is a translingual. . . . His dexterous English prose [portrays] human beings left in limbo, without a compass." —
The Dallas Morning News"Penkov’s stories combine toughness, vulnerability, and bravado. . . . This is a sparkling collection." —Catherine Taylor,
The Guardian (London)
"A fantastic collection that lives up to its audacious subtitle . . . Penkov’s writing style is clear and startling, filled with warmth and wisdom. . . . These are fearless, gutsy stories with tremendous impact." —
Philadelphia City Paper
