Review"[Lucy's] relationship with Ian is charming and original...A stylish and clever tale for bibliophiles who enjoy authors like Jasper Fforde and Connie Willis."-Library Journal"Makkai takes several risks in her sharp, often witty text, replete with echoes of children's classics fromGoodnight MoontoThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz, as well as more ominous references toLolita. . . the moving final chapters affirm the power of books to change people's lives even as they acknowledge the unbreakable bonds of home and family. Smart, literate and refreshingly unsentimental."-Kirkus Reviews"The Borrowerproves [Makkai] is a great writer...This is a wonderfully entertaining story packed with moral conundrums and beautiful writing."-Patrick Neale, co-owner, Jaffé & Neale Bookshop & Café, inThe BooksellerReview“Rarely is a first novel as smart and engaging and learned and funny and moving asThe Borrower. Rebecca Makkai is a writer to watch, as sneakily ambitious as she is unpretentious.”—Richard Russo, Pulitzer Prize-winning author (Richard Russo)words : 89142