Sebastian Barry, Guardian (Book of the Year) 'An eloquent and haunting book about identity and the construction of a self under duress!.Though much of the historic and personal material here is brutal , the tone of the book is oddly consoling. He does tenderness very well.' Hermione Lee, the Guardian 'Subtle...a narrative that moves elegantly between past and present.' Sunday Times 'This novel is about identity, both personal and national, the vicissitudes of memory, the impossibility and necessity of love. The opening is thrilling but Hamilton knows the real story is in the repercussions. And the final chapter is almost unbearably moving, wonderfully understated, damn near perfect.' Rachel Sieffert, Financial Times 'Hugo Hamilton has fashioned a monumental theme. He brings the reader through a whole series of microcosms, dancing flash pictures of different societies, different times. They all contribute to an overwhelming sense of unease, an unsettling shrine to emotional fear. The book and its skill are the reality.' Irish Sunday Independent 'Hamilton doesn't discuss his writing with his family as for him it's very much a "personal endeavour". "Disguise", however, is not one to keep to yourself; it is a book that raises questions about the personal and collective identity from a man in the know.' Image Magazine Praise for 'The Sailor in the Wardrobe': 'Hamilton patterns the institutions and structures of family life, with his father's rules, curfews, punishments and terrifying rages, against the larger tyrannies of history. Simultaneously, he handles the conflicts, threats and aggressions of life outside home, much of which has to be kept secret, words of piercing clarity and immediacy convey his sense of guilt, in a world where terrible events continually hang above his head like the clouds drifting in from the sea. Hamilton's Irish-German-English voice remains unique. The question is where he will project it next.' The Times 'An interestingly astute and poetic book.' Guardian 'Hamilton can interpret his very personal and unique family memories in a way that strikes a universal chord.' Irish Independent'Hamilton patterns the institutions and structures of family life, with his father's rules, curfews, punishments and terrifying rages, against the larger tyrannies of history. Simultaneously, he handles the conflicts, threats and aggressions of life outside home, much of which has to be kept secret, words of piercing clarity and immediacy convey his sense of guilt, in a world where terrible events continually hang above his head like the clouds drifting in from the sea. Hamilton's Irish-German-English voice remains unique. The question is where he will project it next.' Roy Foster, The Times 'An interestingly astute and poetic book.' Guardian 'It must establish Hugo as a major writer of the very first order.' Sunday Tribune 'Hamilton can interpret his very personal and unique family memories in a way that strikes a universal chord.' Irish Independent

Hugo Hamilton was born and grew up in Dublin. He is the author of five novels and two internationally acclaimed memoirs, 'The Speckled People' and 'Sailor in the Wardrobe'.