'The Hand That First Held Mine' Discussion Thread- April Book Club

[*SarahR*]

Here is a discussion thread for the speedy readers amongst us! What did you think of this month's book?

[Dr Spouse]

I am not really sure how thick a book it was (I got it on my kindle) and I read it quickly because I was on holiday, but I thought it was quite slim.

Anyway after Jan (dead/sick babies) and Feb (dead children) this had the lot - traumatic labour (which I have obviously not been through but it was scary), multiple miscarriages (and why are infertile characters so often bitter and twisted?), and a child who wasn't told he was adopted (I have heard about people ask nowadays if adoptive parents are going to tell their child they are adopted - when they are placed age 3 or 4 - and though adults might think children's memories are that poor, I thought this was really unrealistic).

Ted's dad was just pathetic too - but again I hear about people who have stepchildren from babies and don't tell them they have another parent so perhaps he thought it made sense (rather than just being brainwashed by Margot and Gloria).

I liked Lexie and a lot of it was really well written - but next time can we have a nice poisoned wife or something?

[*SarahR*]

Dr Spouse, I'm sorry. I haven't read it yet, but it does sound rather traumatic, and you are right, we have had a run of these type of storylines, completely inadvertently! We definitely need something in a different vein next month!

I am glad it is well written at least!

[Dr Spouse]

Oh dear, hope there weren't too many spoilers there!

[*SarahR*]

I'm sure it's fine, I'll cope! I've a memory like a sieve atm, so I won't remember what you've said anyway!

[fifitrix]

I enjoyed the book

I seem to have leap-frogged it over last month's which is why I haven't posted on the "Behind the Scenes" thread yet. Mainly because I have this one on my kindle and have been reading in bed after lights-out!

I loved the Lexie/Innes bits. I thought the start of that was really nicely done and I loved how her life progressed and changed and yet she seemed to just take it in her stride.

The Elina story was uncomfortable but thought-provoking. Luckily I did not have PND but I really identified with some of the descriptions of the new-baby days and wanted to cry for how she felt. The trauma of getting over a really horrible birth experience but you are expected to just get on with it; recovering from major surgery but getting no sleep to allow your body to heal

I thought I must be really dim as I did not put two and two together as to how the two stories were linked for AGES

The last scene with Lexie I could not read, it hurt too much I can't decide whether it was a good or a bad thing to have stated so early in the book that she died young. For ages I kept expecting it...

[Sonriendo]

I'm working my through it, but find it rather boring and obvious TBH

Having read this, I wouldn't bother looking her out as an author again, although it is very well written.

I agree, that something lighthearted might be a better option for next month.

[*SarahR*]

I finished this last night (I had to stay up late as I couldn't find a point at which to stop). I love Maggie O'Farrell's previous books, and this one was also excellent. She writes in such an understated way, but I just find her characters so real, and her language very evocative.

I loved Lexie, and especially her time with Innes. They were part of such a fabulous 'scene', and I was really interested in the background to London at that time. Lexie was just a brilliantly strong character, I loved everything about her. The way that motherhood changed her was lovely, and her relationship with Theo and her writing about him was beautiful. I also wasn't sure whether I liked knowing that she would die young, and the moments of her death were just tragic, I could barely read her thoughts as it happened.

Felix was totally pathetic and weak, I don't know why he didn't stand up to Margot and Gloria. Not keeping track of Lexie's things for Ted was unforgivable I felt. But he always was a weak, vain character I suppose, even when he was with Lexie.

I could relate to Elina far too much, and I found reading about her struggle with motherhood very difficult. I had a very traumatic birth with my DS, and my DH's experience of DS's birth would have been not unlike Ted's. I remember nothing of the first 3 days of my son's life, so I can understand the confusion that Elina felt, plus the subsequent pain, struggling when left home alone with the baby etc. The feeling of futility, not knowing how you would ever do anything again other than feed a tiny baby, certainly not go back to your previous career, it was so vivid. My DH was fortunately around and a bit more useful than Ted, and didn't keep having wierd flashbacks, but it all still resonated with me very strongly.

I feel a bit wiped out after the read actually, I'm going for something low brow and trashy until we choose next months!

[Chell]

I've just read this thread with 100 pages to go. I've felt that I am rushing ahead hoping that something will happen soon. So far, it isn't a book that I would recommend. At the start I didn't like the bits with Lexie, I prefered the Elina storyline. Now my opinion has changed and I prefer the Lexie parts. I should be finished it soon.

[Chell]

The last scene with Lexie I could not read, it hurt too much I can't decide whether it was a good or a bad thing to have stated so early in the book that she died young. For ages I kept expecting it...

I couldn't read the bit after she died where all the things she could never do with her son were listed. I actually considered not reading any more of the book. In the end I skim read and missed a couple of pages.

DH asked earlier what I was reading. I felt that I was 2/3 of the way into the book and still not in to it, I was waiting for something to happen. It isn't a book that I would recommend to others. It was ok but nothing special.