‘An Exquisite Sense of What Is Beautiful is in the tradition of Graham Greene or William Boyd, taking in great sweeps of history without ever losing sight of the personal, the telling detail. Like his hero Edward, Simons has glimpsed, in the cracks between the ancient and über-modern, the East/West schizophrenia, the soul of the place. An accomplished and compelling novel by a storyteller at the top of his game, An Exquisite Sense of What Is Beautiful lives up to its ambitious title, delivering a story that is both delicate in its detail and politically robust.’ CHRIS DOLAN, POET, AUTHOR & PLAYWRIGHT

‘An Exquisite Sense of What Is Beautiful is actually several love stories, seamlessly flitting between times, countries and historical events. The prose is exquisite and beautiful. A great read. A piece of art.’ HELEN FITZGERALD, AUTHOR OF THE DONOR AND THE CRY

‘J David Simons’ latest novel set in Scotland, London and Japan is that rare thing, a genuine tour-de-force, a beautifully written love story that combines political impetus, questions about art and truth, and an exotic setting once almost blown to extinction in an act of war. It is the kind of sophisticated, grown-up writing that properly intrigues, and calls to mind the best of William Boyd and Sebastian Faulks.’ LESLEY MCDOWELL, AUTHOR & LITERARY CRITIC

‘A beautifully sensitive book portraying the inevitably damning inequalities that can arise within all human relationships, be they political, cultural, sexual or emotional. Insightful and thought-provoking.’ SARA ALLERTON, AUTHOR OF MAKING SHORE