'Atta brilliantly evokes a world just on the brink of major change; her writing is intelligent, witty and controlled.' The Times 'Although the novel might not appeal to the Nigerian authorities, it's far richer and more complicated than the mere displaying of dirty linen . a shrewd, quietly fearless and often witty novel that triumphantly succeeds in being both politically thought-provoking and emotionally engaging.' Daily Mail 'One of the leading writers of her generation.' Teju Cole 'Atta's splendid writing sizzles with wit and compassion. This is an immensely absorbing book.' Chika Unigwe, author of On Black Sisters Street 'Enlightening . Atta imbues Deola's voice with delicious perceptiveness and irony .

Atta perfectly hones in on the emptiness which so often epitomises modern life with its emphasis on the individual; the overall effect is a pithy analysis of contemporary Nigeria and a character you will want things to work out well for.' Royal African Society 'An up-close portrait of middle-class Nigeria exploring the boundaries of morals and public decorum. Pitched between humor and despair, with stripped-down, evocative prose, "A Bit of Difference" bristles with penknife-sharp dialogue, but its truths are more subtle, hiding in the unspoken.' Nii Parkes, author of Tail of the Blue Bird 'Atta delivers on the promise of her well-received early work with this breakout which is at once an American successor to classic Nigerian literature and a commentary on how the English-speaking world reads Africa.' Publishers Weekly 'The novel's momentum comes from Atta's delicate prose and from the wry sense of humour she gives Deola. The book, among other things, is a novel about novels: in several scenes, Deola and her friend Bandele lament the fact that stories from Africa that reach foreign audiences are uniformly tragic. "More death, the better," as Bandele says. Atta's quietly funny novel is clearly intended as a corrective to this trend.

' New Yorker.