Quotes
“And After the Fire is an intellectual thriller and a beautiful love story…Sure to establish Belfer as a fearless, provocative writer.” Sara Gruen, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Brilliant and mesmerizing…Since reading And After the Fire, I’ve been trumpeting it as the best novel I’ve had the pleasure of reading in years.” Elinor Lipman, New York Times bestselling author
“And After the Fire explores the vexing question of whether art can be simultaneously beautiful and hateful…Belfer’s novel…managed to dazzle while delving into dark places.” NPR’s Fresh Air
“This remarkable novel spans centuries and continents, touching finally on the Holocaust and serving as a paean to Bach’s music…Absorbing.” Booklist (starred review)
“Blending the gorgeousness of Bach and the horror of antisemitism over several centuries should make for unsettling contemplation, and readers of Belfer’s…know that the author will be meticulous with both fact and fiction.” Library Journal
“A remarkably suspenseful story, a literary thriller in the tradition of A. S. Byatt’s Possession.” Kirkus Reviews
“On as grand a scale as any Bach masterpiece, Belfer’s novel explores the composer’s religious music and its effect on two women living 300 years apart, seamlessly weaving in the threads of several plotlines and different time periods. She portrays each story with care, even turning the music into a key character. Powerfully and emotionally written, the tale resonates because of its fast pace and Belfer’s ability to bring the large theme of ‘doing the right thing’ to readers. A fascinating, compelling read.” RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)