The Given Day

A grand historical epic that rather conspicuously sets its cap at the status of Great American Novel

Independent

This is history brought thrillingly to life and it makes for a captivating read from start to finish

Siobhan Murphy, Metro

[A] brilliant historical epic. Lehane earned his reputation for writing crime thrillers...And the same hard-boiled skills - and sheer love of storytelling remain in place now he's turned to something more ambitious.

Daily Telegraph

Beautifully written... ambitious and hugely impressive

Time Out

This is a book with Big Ambition written all over it: a thick, doorstopping, compulsively readable epic

The Times

Although Lehane is keen to offer a complete historical portrait of Boston after the First World War, he does not stint on characters and plot either. It is an accomplished balancing act

Daily Express

The acclaimed author of Mystic River has produced a contender for the Big American Novel... not only a powerful, beautifully written novel, but the best kind of history lesson

Daily Mail

This is a sprawling, enthralling novel... every sentence is a treat, every image vivid... an extraordinary freshness and vitality

Sunday Telegraph

The Given Day stands in the great tradition of the American novel, setting an enthralling personal story against a great sweep of history. The result is epic, romantic and intelligent. I loved it

KATE ATKINSON

Wrenchingly suspenseful... A majestic, fiery epic [with] a rich, intricate story

The New York Times

[An] engrossing epic [that] carries serious moral gravity

Publishers Weekly

A brawling, brawny, muscular epic - exactly what great mainstream novels used to be

LEE CHILD

Dennis Lehane takes on the volatile beginnings of the American century and, like the master storyteller he is, effortlessly makes that vast canvas come alive. A rich and satisfying epic

STEWART O'NAN, author of THE NIGHT COUNTRY