“With a polished assurance rare in a first novel...Wilton Barnhardt unreels flashy scene after scene in convincing detail and sharp, snappy dialogue...the kind of shooting star that will make readers watch the skies eagerly for Barnhardt's next one.” —Susan Allen Toth, The Washingtion Post Book World

“This is an immensely winning book.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review

“Heir to Holden Caulfield...An affecting first novel, full of feeling without being sentimental.” —Financial Times (London)

“New novelists are plentiful. New novelists who create memorable characters, an insightful story, and thoughtful wit are rare. Wilton Barnhardt is one of the rare ones.” —Rebecca Warburton Boylan, Newsday

“Emma is a winner--a book of enormous charm....One of the most promising fictional debuts in many years.” —Publishers Weekly

“Big, funny, engaging, unsentimental...delightful.” —New York Post