“A Russian doll of a read . . . A story that cooks like a mother.” —Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly

“An intoxicating journey filled with missing souls and vengeful spirits.” —The Washington Post

“An entertainingly readable novel of ideas . . . Berlinski's narrative is brilliantly plotted and builds to a shattering but entirely credible conclusion.” —Los Angeles Times

“A sad and powerful tale . . . Inspired and courageous.” —San Francisco Chronicle

“An impeccably structured novel portraying two strikingly different milieus . . . Bravura storytelling.” —The Seattle Times

“Airtight and intensely gripping . . . His treatment of both religious missionary and anthropological fieldwork is subtle and insightful. Impeccable research and a juicy, intricate plot play off in this perfectly executed debut.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Gripping and entertaining . . . A quirky, often brilliant debut, bounced along by limitless energy.” —The New York Review of Books