“An extended meditation on the definition of heroism and the reverberations of history. Colourful and pitch-perfect… There is a compelling contemplative lilt to Holz’s prose and the novel garners its heft and eloquence from this consistent thoughtfulness.” (Quill & Quire, March 2003)
“[A Good Man] is an accomplished work, and Izzy comes across as a memorable man indeed.” (The Vancouver Sun, May 2003)
“Izzy is endearing, exasperating, pushy, opinionated, passive-aggressive and self-absorbed… Holz does a wonderfully thorough job of presenting him to us. A marvelously cathartic sex scene is the most emotionally complex moment in the novel. [A Good Man] is a steady, detailed and honest portrait well worth reading for its highly credible version of a particular slice of the real world.” (The Globe and Mail, April 2003)
“Holz delves into complex issues faced by three generations: survivors of the Nazi era and the Holocaust, their children, and their grandchildren. The novel is well-crafted, with loving attention to detail. Narrative and dialogue flow easily, and both minor and major characters come to life. Holz’s book is a worthy addition to the growing literature on the Holocaust and its ongoing effects. This is not, however, a book only about the Holocaust; it is about love and survival. A Good Man is a story that helps us to understand our history and ourselves.” (The Hamilton Spectator, April 2003)
“Holz manages to make the reader cognizant of just how devastating [survival] guilt can be, and how it can ruin the life of somebody like Izzy Schneider.” (The Toronto Star, April 2003)
“A powerful tale of two men, murder, friendship and families. A Good Man is not simply about whether Izzy ever comes to terms with his own past but whether his daughter can come to terms with her own shame about her father.” (The Calgary Herald, May 2003)