"A disturbing, dark novel and an auspicious debut." - Brian Moore "The obsessive love of one brother for another makes absorbing reading. The picture of the selfish cold father is very convincing, I found the unwitting betrayal of the father by the despised son most moving. There are fine descriptions throughout." - James Purdy "Extraordinarily tightly plotted, well - and in places, brilliantly - written, and concerned with issues of major human importance." - British Book News "A real talent for describing places, and an admirable restraint which gives his writing tautness. The book is fired by sincerity ... the writing is admirable." - Books and Bookmen "A carefully husbanded talent with skill and sensitivity ... drawn with arresting acidity ... vividly evoked." - Jonathan Keates, Observer Dan Varney, in Madrid for a conference, goes in search of a night of adventure to help take his mind off the terrible events of one year earlier, when...