The Distance Between Us

A Novel

By: Maggie O'Farrell

Narrated by: Susie Riddell

Gripping, insightful, and deft, The Distance Between Us by Maggie O'Farrell is a haunting story of the way our families shape our lives, from the award-winning author of Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait.

On a cold February afternoon, Stella catches sight of a man she hasn't seen for many years, but instantly recognises. Or thinks she does. At the same moment on the other side of the globe, in the middle of a crowd of Chinese New Year revellers, Jake realises that things are becoming dangerous.

They know nothing of one another's existence, but both Stella and Jake flee their lives: Jake in search of a place so remote it doesn't appear on any map, and Stella for a destination in Scotland, the significance of which only her sister, Nina, will understand.

©2024 Maggie O'Farrell (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Every bit as good, if not better, than her highly acclaimed previous novels. An intriguing plot, sympathetic characterisation and beautifully observed, sophisticated writing all make for a hugely satisfying read.”―Booksellers’ Choice

“A well-paced read that slowly and tantalizingly unravels a web of mysteries, tragedies and intrigue, keeping you hooked.”―Eve

“Maggie O’Farrell brilliantly reveals how the past has an untidy habit of cluttering up the present in this compulsively readable tale of star-crossed lovers and secretive siblings.”―Elle

Okay but not a favorite

The story drags on some and is not as intricate as Instructions for a Heat Wave or This Must Be the Place. It was okay overall but not my favorite.

Enthralling

Beautifully written and read! I will be seeking out other Maggie O’Farrell books for sure

My favorite author!

I wish I could give a 5 star review because I loved the story. The difficulty for me was that the format of the book didn’t work well. The back and forth between characters and time lines seemed choppy because on Audible these breaks are not visible. I would still recommend this novel.

Disjointed

Love the family idea hard to follow jumps to much made it difficult
to follow who the were talking about

Format and pace

A Deeply engaging that captures emotions so beautifully and realistically. Characters are so vividly rendered.

Not my favorite Maggie O’Farrell novel…

I loved Hamnet and the Marriage Portrait, both in which showcase Maggie’s growth as a writer since this novel, but I did not enjoy The Distance Between Us nearly as much. The writing was definitely great, there’s no doubt, but I didn’t enjoy the constant back and forth between past and present of different characters and their parents, I found it both tedious and confusing; it just didn’t work here. I was also confused on whether this was a love story about Stella and Jake or a sisterly bond story between Stella and Nina. Not saying you can’t do both, but this story felt like it was pulling in different directions throughout, never settling on one and it felt like the author did not know either.

The love story that develops between Stella and Jake also felt very rushed and superficial. I don’t actually know why they were drawn to one another, or why they felt as strongly as they did about one another at the end. It felt like a case of the author telling us they have a deep connection rather than showing us.

In and out of love with this

I do love reading Maggie O’Farrell, her writing always shines, however this story just didn’t hold me like her other books.