The Hand That First Held Mine

De: Maggie O’Farrell

Narrado por: Anne Flosnik

Lexie Sinclair yearns for more than her parents’ genteel country life. She makes her way to the city, where she meets a magazine editor, Innes, a man unlike any she has ever imagined. He introduces her to the thrilling world of Bohemian postwar London, and Lexie learns to become a reporter, to know art and artists, to live fully, unconventionally, and with deep love. And when she finds herself pregnant by a man wholly unsuitable for marriage or fatherhood, she doesn’t hesitate a minute to have the baby on her own.

Later, in present-day London, a young painter named Elina dizzily navigates the first weeks of motherhood. Her boyfriend, Ted, traumatized by nearly losing her in labor, begins to recover lost memories. At first he cannot place them, but as they emerge, we discover something heartbreaking and beautiful that connects these two stories.

©2010 Maggie O’Farrell (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“O'Farrell brings to mind Sue Miller but with a British and darker flavor; her sure hand for psychological suspense ( The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenno) continues to be most impressive.” ( Library Journal)

It was Ok

I struggled to get into this book. The 3rdnperspn point of view made it hard to fall in love with the characters. It seemed very clinical and the switching story lines were hard to follow.

Tedious

I have loved other books by Maggie O'Farrell, especially Hamnet. This was so disappointing. It took way too long for the two narratives to finally converge. Elena's story in particular seemed mired in tedious details. Both story lines included lots of seemingly irrelevant passages. Lexi was the most complete character but not especially compelling. I only finished it because I was traveling and needed a listen to pass the time driving. Kept hoping it would get better but it didn't. Also found the reader a bit grating and detached sounding which didn't help the tedium.

Loved This Book

I enjoyed listening to this book. The story line was very well put together. Hopefully the author reads reviews…… I need a follow up! I loved the book so much I’ll have to listen to it again.

Such a Well-written Story

I have been a fan of Maggie O’Farrell since reading/listening to Hamnet. This story is equal to that one as it demonstrates the author’s ability to include the slightest details to illustrate the characters and the plot. It was cinematic (in a good way). I was very sorry to get to the end.

Entertaining enough

I was drawn into the story from the very beginning, the characters interesting and the development swift.

A Fever Dream In The Fog

Reading this story is like waking from a night you cannot remember. You recall what you felt, but the sequence of events is just out of your grasp. This disjointed rhythm was off-putting at first. However, the story became more intriguing as the fog lifted and the dynamic nature of the characters came to light. Each person is discovering (and thus collecting) scraps of their pasts. All the while, they are forced to engage with the present. The tension of the story is beautifully held, and the reaching the conclusion is well worth the journey.

This is the first book of this author

I gave read and it won’t be the last!!this is a beautiful story that comes together in a satisfying way. I highly recommend.

Beautiful, funny, and moving

I’ve loved O’Farrell’s other novels but had not read this one - it is exquisite! Richly involving, with so many intricate details about daily life and motherhood and the hopes of all parents. Such a wonderfully enthralling listening experience. I savored every minute.

Maggie is a Magnificent Writer

In a world full of instant gratification, fast food, and fast reads, Maggie O’Farrell‘s novels are deliciously rich, slow, and filling. She is my favorite living writer. If you love this, read/listen to her novel, the Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, and her memoir I Am, I Am, I Am.
You’re welcome!

So well dines

I resisted this book because it was marketed as “womens fiction” which is a trend that drives me nuts. But then I realized it was Maggie O’Farrell pre- Hamnet success. Excellent writing, masterful character development, heartbreaking story well told.