The Hand That First Held Mine cover art

The Hand That First Held Mine

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About this listen

A gorgeously written story of love and motherhood with stunning emotional punch - this is Maggie O'Farrell doing what she does better than anyone.This is the story of two women - Lexie and Elina, a journalist and a painter - separated by fifty years, but linked by a story of love, family secrets and deception, that touches powerfully on the theme of motherhood. It is acclaimed and bestselling author Maggie O'Farrell's most emotionally satisfying novel to date.

©2010 Maggie O'Farrell (P)2010 Headline Audiobooks Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Emotions
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I know you are a professional and by now quite used to gushing reviews from your readers/listeners, but.....
You are so bloody good ! That ending was sublime. The story quite complicated until you worked your magic.
Samantha Bond, quite amazing.
Thank you both.

Dear Maggie

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Excellent narration.
Very different genre to The Marriage Portrait!
Good story.
Right, what’s next then?!

Enjoyable hadn’t realised this was abridged

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A totally absorbing tale of motherhood. I cried and smiled. The juxtaposition between the two families was fascinating and I did work out the relationship. Beautifully written and narrated.

A wonderful listen

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This book was so beautifully read by Samantha Bond that I felt part of it. As a mother myself & having worked as a midwife & health visitor, Maggie O’Farrell’s descriptions of the responsibilities of having a new baby to care for, particularly after a difficult birth experience are crafted to perfection. How she weaves the lives of the main characters together is addictive as you gradually realise how the relationships have evolved. I loved this book & became totally immersed in the narrative.

Brought to life by Samantha Bond’s narration

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Samantha Bond is a brilliant narrator, as you would expect from such an actor. I recognised one line in the story lifted from "The L-shaped Room", the midwife's comment at the birth.

Consummate narration

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