"Mr. Matthiessen proves himself here to be a connoisseur of coiled tensions, between men and women, between people of different social classes, and, repeatedly, between races.... There is something almost mysterious about his achievement...qualities for which one can think of only classical or old-fashioned words: gravitas, grandeur, beauty." – The New York Times
"These compelling tales of elemental fear and ever-pressing silence culminate in the great, dark and desperate final story, a masterful piece of work by one of our best writers." – Don DeLillo
"Simply wonderful stories. When all the faddish smoke clears. Peter Matthiessen's work will stand revealed as that of an artist of immense talent, grandeur, and genius." – Jim Harrison