'Both fascinating and moving, The Temporary Gentleman shows Sebastian Barry to be one of our finest novelists - daring, accommodating and humane.' (John Banville)Arguably our greatest living novelist. (Irish Times)'These lives are re-imagined in language of surpassing beauty.' (New York Times)'He writes like an angel.' (James Naughtie Sunday Telegraph)'Barry's greatness isn't just that he's a fine writer and a deeply political writer. His greatness is he does it all simultaneously: he tells a desolating story and demolishes many myths at the same time. Ireland's lucky to have him.' (Carlo Gebler Financial Times)'A magnificent and heart-rending novel.' (Joseph O'Connor Guardian on The Secret Scripture)'A bravura performance. Reflecting on Irish history, Irish losses, Irish enmities with singular force, grace and beauty.' (Roy Foster The Times on The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty)