The Other Hand

From the back of the book: We don't want to tell you what happens in this book. It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it. Nevertheless, you need to know enough to buy it so we will just say this:

This is the story of two women. Their lives collide one fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice.

Two years later, they meet again - the story starts there...

Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.

How can you not pick up a book with a blurb like that? This blurb won Sceptre, the 'Best Blurb' award at the Book Marketing Society Awards in 2010 and it's not hard to work out why... but how the hell do I review a book where I'm not allowed to tell you anything about it??

The Other Hand by Chris Cleave is a beautiful piece of writing; it is dramatic, yes, but also funny, touching and relatable (is that a word?). What makes it all the more remarkable is the authenticity of the female voices that bring this book to life when the writer is a man. That's not to say that men can't understand women - not about to get into that argument! - but I still feel it's quite an achievement for any writer, male or female, to adopt the other's voice so successfully.

I wouldn't say I 'liked' any of the characters. For me, that's always a 'must'. They all have flaws and controversial ones at that, flaws that you can't ever imagine forgiving but it's these flaws that make the characters feel all the more real. They're the kind of flaws that you hope people would forgive in you but you never have the faith that they ever would so you try and keep them under wraps...

This novel is international in its scope. The dilemma is one that no one ever thinks they would have to face but the novel makes you realise how it could happen to anyone. It is about relationships between friends, boyfriends, husbands, children, colleagues and whole nations. It is about truth and how it's not always healthy. Most importantly, it's a complete breeze to read. 

There's a film in the pipeline starring Nicole Kidman, so get reading before it comes out and everyone knows what happens!

7.5/10