Reviews.
'Extremely Articulate’ The Evening Standard
‘A wise new book’ The Oldie
‘Direct. Intense. Honest. A book with a big idea that packs a punch.’ Hilary Lawson, philosopher
and director of How the Light Gets In
‘Olivia Fane offers a welcome subversiveness on this subject, telling us that sex isolated from things that genuinely matter – kindness, trust, intelligent personal connection, humour and perspective – is insignificant. To use the irresistible image, she is diagnosing in our culture a bad case of the Emperor’s New Clothes where writing about sex is concerned.’ Rowan Williams.
'it is in fact a surprising, beautifully written satire on conventional middle-class notions of marriage and romance. hilarious, heartbreaking and thought-provoking' Sara Lawrence, Daily Mail
'Fane writes with clarity, elegance and a wit which raises her interest in amorous foreplay into the Ovidian. Her debut is the most radiant I have seen this year' Amanda Craig, Independent
‘Brings to mind comparisons with Shena Mackay, and, in her hero’s philosophical quest, with early Iris Murdoch.’ Claire Colvin, The Times
'This book is quite magnificently unexpected. Although it is direct, usually cheerful and often extremely funny, it fair boggles the mind.' Charles Moore The Telegraph (read the review)
'The charisma of her writing will certainly win her allies, but Fane doesn’t try to impose her belief system on her readers. You will read the book in a single sitting and dip back into it for years to come.' We Love This Book/The Bookseller
‘Full of wisdom about how to live, what it means to be you and how to communicate that knowledge to the people you love.’ Andrew G. Marshall, author of I Love You But I’m Not in Love with You
‘Fane light-heartedly shares her personal experiences of, and opinions about, sometimes serious issues, with at the end of each a couple of questions to talk about. To revive conversation.’ Nederlands Dagblad
‘Because of the easy applicable starting points for conversation this book in a witty way offers ideas to deepen your relationships.’ Margriet, , the biggest weekly women’s magazine in Holland
‘In a witty way this book gets you going again.’ Flair, large weekly women’s magazine
‘Her book contains witty and wide-ranging topics, followed by surprising questions you can use to debate on together afterwards.’ Happinez, a monthly magazine
‘So say goodbye to that well deserved night’s sleep, because next to getting to know this British author who speaks her mind, the reader receives in ’63 ideeën voor een goed gesprek’ more than enough input for a series of inspiring nights.****’ CultuurBewust.nl
Far more than creating a tale of pedophilic scandal, Fane unearths thorny moral ambiguities, forcing the reader to consider circumstances in which the unthinkable may be the only sound option.' Publishers Weekly
'A contentious subject, thoughtfully tackled' Daily Mail
'A very distinctive novel.' Hilary Mantel
'This extraordinary story is told very readably. There is a good spicing of satire and humour. Besides being a good tale, God’s Apology is something of an essay in natural theology.’ The Tablet
This book is a delight. I loved it. It is an extremely serious novel, posing as one which is simple and beguiling. It races along at a rate of knots, leaving the reader smiling, satisfied, and impressed.' Fay Weldon
'A captivating book - original, intelligent and very entertaining.’ Isabel Wolff
‘Fane toys with chick-lit conventions, but consistently focuses her smart, fluid prose and sophisticated thought on rendering a thoughtful, sorrowful and often highly amusing novel.’ The Times