“Murray writes stories of fierce intensity, stories that are evocative, distinct and haunting. . . . Dark and unflinching, these brimming, sometimes jagged stories endure powerfully in the reader’s memory as they reach across continents and time with precision and—in the heart of darkness—a measure of grace.”
—Claire Messud, The New York Times Book Review
“War is an unusual subject for a young female writer; with each piece, Murray proves to be increasingly exceptional.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“[The Caprices] is a wrenching account of war taken personally.”
—Barbara Lloyd McMichael, The Seattle Times
“There is no denying that [The Caprices] is indeed an artistic achievement.”
—Terry Hong, The Bloomsbury Review
“In this sobering book, [Murray] turns the bombed-out and broken setting of World War II into a theater for humankind, where both weakness and grace are writ large.”
—The Washington Post
“A feverish combination of passion and lucidity.”
—Valerie Martin, author of Property and Mary Reilly
“Along with these characters—inside their skins, their very bones—we learn, sometimes unwillingly, more of the possibilities that arise with being human.”
—Kate Wheeler, author of When Mountains Walked
“[A] trenchant short story collection . . . For Murray, war is an interlocking series of events that swallow up human dignity, conscience, and memory, leaving only phantoms. . . . With an unwavering eye . . . Murray fuse[s] together the ordinary and incomprehensible.”
—Irina Reyn, San Francisco Chronicle
“With The Caprices, Sabina Murray proves her mastery of historical fiction. . . . Insightful and beautifully written . . . Her themes resonate with a fresh relevance and her voice is a welcome addition to contemporary fiction.”
—Jana Daugherty, The Asian Reporter
“A refreshing take on the sweep and effect of war.”
—Geeta Sharma-Jensen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online