The Violet Hour

A rewarding family saga reminiscent of Anne Tyler's novels . . . Wonderfully witty

Washington Post

Hill handles the intimacy of family ties with care and tenderness . . . Readers who enjoyed Jonathan Franzen's Freedom will relate as Hill's characters similarly and systematically unravel from each other

Booklist

An affecting tale about decent but flawed people

Publishers Weekly

The Violet Hour succeeds in nearly every measure . . . the story of this family - at once alien and familiar, pitiable and impressive - is rendered with candor and economy

Colorado Review

A bittersweet tale of breakup and forgiveness

O, The Oprah Magazine

An unusual retrospective of a family torn apart . . . A bleak and disturbing story but one that offers a glimmer of hope

Kirkus Reviews

An absorbing read . . . very good on the unspoken nuances of family life and the irrational irritations we often feel for those we love

Daily Mail

Splices humorous set pieces with gently searing revelations . . . a sophisticated saga, offering easy pleasures with no easy truths

Observer