"A storyteller who could keep a sultan on the edge of his throne for a thousand and one nights." –
The New York Times Book Review "A dreamy treat. . . . It is not merely strange, it is wondrous."
–Boston Globe "Alternatingly erudite and earthy, direct and playful. . . . If Scheherazade ever needs a break, Byatt can step in, indefinitely."
–Chicago Tribune "Byatt's writing is crystalline and splendidly imaginative. . . . These [are] perfectly formed tales."
–Washington Post Book World
"Those new to the world of Byatt might well begin here, with these tales-within-tales, which one can read as anything from contemporary allegories
–such as the superb
Dragon's Breath, evoking every idyll that ever fell foul of war or famine
–to sheer celebrations of storytelling itself."
–Vogue "The familiar elements of fairy story come to life under A.S. Byatt's touch . . . with lightness, precision, grace."
–Observer "A cerebral extravaganza, bristling with ideas."
–Spectator "The fairy story is obviously a form that fascinates A.S. Byatt, it suits her spare, cool prose and this collection enables her to create very different effects . . . a beautifully produced book."
–Financial Times "As with all of Byatt's work, there is a fierce intelligence at play, and beautifully nuanced prose."
–Publisher's Weekly