The Distance Between Us
The Sunday Times Bestseller from the Author of Hamnet
Published on 26. February 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-7553-0266-6 (ISBN)
Description
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. It was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller 2004 and won the Somerset Maugham Award.
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
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 * 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 * This is the third of her seductive novels and quite the best to date ... haunting, passionate ... full of sensual language [and] vivid snapshot imagery ... this superb story ... has an extraordinary female intensity and authentic emotional punch * Barbara Trapido, The Independent * O'Farrell pulls a passionate and absorbing love story out of the bag * THE MIRROR * Maggie O'Farrell has written three novels, each of them a critical and commercial success ... her confidence in her characters' plausibility is endearing ... She tends to their emotional lives with the inexhaustible tenderness of a doting mother * FINANCIAL TIMES * hyper-sensitive examination of family relationships ... ambitious and trickily arranged narrative ... The result is a skilful, sensitive romantic novel * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH * Her gift for story-telling is wrapped in gold paper and tied with 15 velvet bows. Give her any synopsis you like and she would probably make it work ... Maggie O'Farrell has a magical talent for writing sensuous love scenes which are somehow touchingly old-fashioned * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY * Fans of the earlier books can expect the same telling observations, evocative descriptions and a narrative that moves seamlessly between past and present * SCOTSMAN ON SUNDAY * Maggie O'Farrell has written three novels, each of them a critical and commercial success * FT * A well paced read that slowly and tantalisingly unravels a web of mysteries, tragedies and intrigue, keeping you hooked * Eve *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Headline Publishing Group
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
261 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7553-0266-6 (9780755302666)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2009
Tinder Press
€5.49
Available for download
Person
Maggie O'Farrell is the author of HAMNET, Winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020, and the memoir I AM, I AM, I AM, both Sunday Times no. 1 bestsellers. Her novels include AFTER YOU'D GONE, MY LOVER'S LOVER, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, which won a Somerset Maugham Award, THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX, THE HAND THAT FIRST HELD MINE, which won the 2010 Costa Novel Award, INSTRUCTIONS FOR A HEATWAVE, THIS MUST BE THE PLACE and THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT, which was shortlisted for the Women's Prize. She is also the author of three books for children, WHERE SNOW ANGELS GO, THE BOY WHO LOST HIS SPARK and WHEN THE STAMMER CAME TO STAY. She lives in Edinburgh.