The Liars' Gospel

A glittering style, a compulsive pleasure Metro Exciting, entertaining and enthralling read - this is story telling of the very highest order. It's certainly one of my books of the year. Bookbag The dark wit that characterised her previous novels, Disobedience and The Lessons, runs through this book as an undercurrent, but The Liars' Gospel shows the hand of a mature novelist, a daring and accomplished work on a broad canvas. She is as much at home describing the sorrow of a mother as the cut and thrust of theological debate, as convincing on the weariness of a man forced into moral compromise as the rush of blood in a teenage boy caught up in his first riot. She paints the sweep of history through the sharp pain of human love and loss, and it is a remarkable achievement. -- Stephanie Merritt The Observer Remarkable. Alderman is a supremely talented writer -- Joanne Harris A series of thoughtful, humane sketches that seek to earnestly put the meat of character on the bones of the bible... An evocative, secular exploration of the New Testaments' sprawling horizons Metro Witty, dark and compelling -- Charlotte Mendelson Marvellously told and wonderfully done -- Maeve Kennedy Such intensity ... a big book about history and violence, you can feel the blood running off the page. It is also a very personal and human book -- Dreda Say Mitchell First piece I've read that puts you completely into the Jewish history. A fascinating new look -- Cahal Dallat Gripping and visceral -- Arifa Akbar The Independent 'The descriptions of violence are visceral. Parts could be describing contemporary Afghanistan with only a change of names... indisputably elegant. -- Stuart Kelly Scotland on Sunday