Product Description

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. (20031219)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25871 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

FT
‘Maggie O'Farrell has written three novels, each of them a critical and commercial success'

Review
'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 has written three novels, each of them a critical and commercial success' (FT )

‘Ms O'Farrell's take on love, loss and grief is even more gripping than ER: The George Clooney Years’ (Heat )

‘A well paced read that slowly and tantalisingly unravels a web of mysteries, tragedies and intrigue, keeping you hooked’ (Eve )

‘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 )

Eve
‘A well paced read that slowly and tantalisingly unravels a web of mysteries, tragedies and intrigue, keeping you hooked'

Customer Reviews

A great read and a beautiful love story
I'd never read any of Maggie O'farrell's books before, although my friends had been telling me to for ages. But I loved this so much I went straight out to buy her others. This is a really copmlex, involving read that you won't be able to put down. It centres on two relationships: the emerging love story between Stella, a scottish-italian girl, and Jake, a British Hong Kong man, and the weirdly close relationship between Stella and her crazy and infuriating sister Nina. There are lots of other smaller parts in the book (which sounds like I'm talking about a film and reading this books is a bit like watching a film - it's so vivid and she cuts between scenes like a movie director) and every one of these people are as real, believable and visible as the main characters. She writes in what seems like a complicated way at first - lots of different people, and moving back and forward in time - but after a while you get completely used to it. It's a great read, a beautiful love story and anyone who has sisters will recognise lots of the emotions/frustrations from here!
Highly, highly recommended.

Back to previous form
I loved Maggie O Farrell's first book and eagarly awaited her second, which in my opinion sorely disappoints! - did not enjoy it all it, in fact didn't even finish it....
However was willing to give her a second chance and bought her new hardback , which i can say is equally as good if not better than her first book. I am reading it soooo slowly because I don't want it to end !- characters are utterly believable - the relationship between Stella and her sister Nina is fascinating and the storyline keeps you hooked long into the night - Jake's character is also compelling and his quest to find some link with his father - all in all, an excellent read - trust me, you won't be disappointed if you enjoyed her first book, - this is on a similar level.

Lost its way at the end but overall, a good read
When I started reading this novel, I was mesmerised by the main characters, who are utterly convincing and realistic, and very impressed by the amount of careful research that the author has obviously put into her work (the novel introduces scenes and characters from Italy, Wales, London, Scotland and Hong Kong, as well as Italian, Chinese and Welsh phrases). However, I lost interest towards the end - the "dizzying twist" which the Daily Mail speaks of never happened for me; on the contrary, the ending was highly predictable. I found myself speed-reading the last twenty pages because I knew what was going to take place. I also don't understand why the character of Mair was so finely-drawn, only to disappear without trace - I was hoping that she might re-emerge towards the end, elderly and contrite, to tie up the Caroline/family issue.