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45 pages 1 hour read

The Hand That First Held Mine

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009

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Book Brief

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Maggie O'Farrell

The Hand That First Held Mine

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009
Book Details
Pages

341

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London • 1950s

Theme
Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Hand That First Held Mine interweaves two timelines: In the 1950s, Lexie Sinclair moves to London, builds a journalism career, and navigates complex relationships until her untimely death, leaving her son to be adopted by an estranged family member. In contemporary London, new parents Elina and Ted cope with trauma and uncover Ted's repressed memories, ultimately seeking healing and understanding. This narrative features traumatic childbirth, miscarriage, the traumatic loss of a parent, and attempted sexual assault.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Melancholic

Emotional

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.2

35,765 ratings

78%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Maggie O'Farrell's The Hand That First Held Mine is widely acclaimed for its evocative prose and intricate narrative structure. Readers praise its emotional depth and the interweaving of two parallel stories. Some find the pacing uneven, with the historical narrative more compelling than the contemporary one. Overall, it's a poignant exploration of love and legacy.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Hand That First Held Mine?

A reader who enjoys rich, emotionally complex narratives that weave past and present will be captivated by The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell. Fans of Kate Atkinson's Life After Life and Ian McEwan's Atonement will appreciate the novel's intricate plot and lyrical prose. Ideal for those who relish literary fiction with deeply human themes.

4.2

35,765 ratings

78%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

341

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London • 1950s

Theme
Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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