“Ms. Barbieri’s writerly sense of whimsy and retrospection implies that anyone can work through adversity to happiness—if only the volition is present.”
“The Rock Star in Seat 3A will not, in and of itself, convince the Pulitzer committee that a prize is due in 2012, but a good time will be had by all.”
“It is through the character of the dead artist that Ms. McLean powers into the explosive ending, leaving us quiet, contemplative, and waiting for her next book.”
