Bookseller Reviews
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Haunting and unforgettable.
This book will never, ever leave you once you have delved into its savage and haunting pages. I cannot say much without giving away the plot, and it really... READ MORE
The Cloven Dwarsligger
Couple of things going on here: Chris Cleave’s new book After the End of the World is eagerly anticipated and will available to his myriad readers on 21 Ju... READ MORE
Haunting and revealing
The new flipback format is great fun and convenient for travel (and reading at breakfast), these beauties fit nicely in your pocket and actually feel nice ... READ MORE
The Other Hand
Like his first novel, Incendiary, Cleave weaves current political fears with a brilliantly told tale of "the everyman". Heartbreakingly tragic and equally ... READ MORE
Haunting and unforgettable
This book will never, ever leave you once you have delved into its savage and haunting pages. I cannot say much without giving away the plot, and it really... READ MORE
Synopsis
Published for the first time in flipback - the new, portable, stylish format that's taken Europe by storm.
Shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and Costa Novel of the Year, this international bestseller has become a reading group classic.
We don't want to tell you too much about this book. It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it.
Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this:
It is extremely funny, but the African beach scene is horrific.
The story starts there, but the book doesn't.
And it's what happens afterwards that is most important.
Once you have read it, you'll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
- ISBN: 9781444736243
- Number of pages: 576
- Dimensions: 121 x 84 x 16 mm
- Weight: 126g
Customer Reviews
View allGreat for Book Clubs
This was the September book for the Eldwick based GIN Club, (Girls Into Novels).
The discussion it generated was well worth the read.
Overall the group agr... READ MORE
Highly Original
‘The Other Hand’ follows the story of two women, where fate collides to bring both tragic and emotional events, yet one that shows the story in such a beli... READ MORE
Fantastic wake-up call
I read this book last August and I have been recommending it to everybody ever since. Unlike any other book I've read, it did stay with me for a long time.... READ MORE
Very Good
Slightly over-rated I think, although the storyline was amazing. Very good book, I'd recommend it.
Amazing! A 'must read'
I found this easy to read book hard to put down. The author's style captivated me and his use of language conjoured vivid, colourful scenes and characters.... READ MORE
The Other Hand
Incredible read - favourite book in years.
Thoughtful Read...
After reading mixed reviews I was not sure about the book, but I found it highly thought provoking and an interesting read.
The Other Hand
Although the story is somewhat emotive, the book lacks originality and tends to rely on old clichés rather than any skilled story telling or creative use o... READ MORE
Fantastic
I loved this book and couldn't put it down.
I really liked the fact that the the supposed strong and successful career woman was shown to be quite shallow... READ MORE
The Other Hand
Deserving of its shortlist status, I throughly enjoyed this book. It captured me for a day's travel and I couldn't put it down. The technique iofalternatin... READ MORE
slow start then a great story
The Other Hand
This book is simply amazing. Incredibly moving, funny and brilliant. I can only recommend that everyone reads this book as it is definately one of the best... READ MORE
well worth a read
I picked this book up in a charity shop and i thought i'd look on line to see what other people thought of it, and found very mixed reviews. I wasn't in a ... READ MORE
Unexpected story, a pretty good read
From the blurb, you clearly don't have a clue what to expect with this book. And in no way could you have guessed.
The storyline for me is a really unusua... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I loved this book! slightly slow in places, but beautifully written and captivating. I'm sure I will read this book time and time again, i've already passe... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I guess if the content description had given away more of the story line, I would not have bought this book as a holiday read - and missed a great novel. Y... READ MORE
Love the flipbook. Story ok.
I had been led to believe from reviews that this was an amazing story with a twist or unusual ending that I could not reveal.
The story is ok. Selfishness ... READ MORE
The Other Hand
Under normal circumstances, I get intensely irritated by books that do not tell prospective readers what they are about, choosing instead to provide reams ... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I think some of the previous reviewers have been over-generous. Yes, I enjoyed parts of this book and there were some genuinely thought-provoking parts. Ho... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I really enjoyed reading this novel - in fact, I devoured it in 24 hours. I was unsure about the subject matter when reading the blurb, half expecting a ra... READ MORE
377 Pages of Liberal Propaganda
Do not recommend this Book to the older generation
Birthday gift
Probably wouldn't have bought myself because the won't tell you about it cover just annoyed me. I had only heard excellent reports about it though. Grippin... READ MORE
The Other Hand
An intriguing tale with an interesting insight into the British asylum seeker system - interesting, thought provoking and most importantly it kept my atten... READ MORE
Didn't live up to hype
If you're going to proclaim how amazing a book is, not only on the back cover, but also with an editor's letter on the first page, then you're pretty much ... READ MORE
Disappointing
I was eagerly anticipating receiving and reading this book, as the amount of secrecy surrounding it and the promise of shocking storylines and unexpected t... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I did enjoy this book, but it isn't as good as the back would have you believe, it really isn't. It was nicely written and had some great characters, espec... READ MORE
The Other Hand
Fantastic read it keeps you on the edge throughout and very thought provoking,i couldnt put it down. Jilly
Bland and uninteresting
I bought this purely on the strength of the marketing notes on the sleeve. Trying to read it was like swimming in treacle but I was determined to finish it... READ MORE
The Other Hand
Generally very good.
There are two main players in this story - Little Bee and Sarah.
Little Bee, I love! Whilst I can't begin to relate to her story, I felt every twist and t... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I loved this book, which was every bit as special as it was described on the back cover. It is a wonderful story and beautifully written. I would love to k... READ MORE
The Other Hand
Sounds really great on sleeve, kept waiting for the twist or for it to quicken up... never got there very disappointing.
Great Read
I really loved this book. I am afraid that if i say anything about the plot i will give it away, but it is a story that captures so many strong human emoti... READ MORE
Incredibly thought provoking
A book that although though going at times, is well worth the effort in the end. Incredibly thought provoking. It made me question issues that Id never rea... READ MORE
The Other Hand
When I read the back of this book I bought it immediately. However, I think the synopsis, for me, builds the book up in such a way that leaves readers exp... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I was actually rather disappointed with this book. Not that I didn't enjoy reading it, however, after reading certain reviews I was expecting a lot more fr... READ MORE
This is a horrible book.
The author dislikes his characters, doesn't care what happens to them (some horrible things happen, but he doesn't seem to mind in the slightest, or empath... READ MORE
Absolutely Outstanding
This book is one of the best i have ever read- Thought provoking, well written, and deeply saddening. This book made me think about issues ive never even c... READ MORE
The Other Hand
Where to begin when describing what I loved about this book. I'm a slow reader, but I read it in 36 hours and I begrudged the time I spent sleeping when I... READ MORE
The Other Hand
disappointed with this book as I didn't feel the description gave you any idea of the content which, in places, was really very upsetting. Be warned it is... READ MORE
Brilliant
A brilliant book, believable and captivating story that will stay with you forever.
The Other Hand
Although you do get drawn into Little Bee's charactor, I do think the synopsis on the back builds the expectation up too much! Don't get me wrong, it is an... READ MORE
Hmmm...50/50
I got taken in by the blurb on the back cover, like other reviewers. However...! It didn't quite deliver. Half of the story I loved, the other half I didn'... READ MORE
The Other Hand
A powerful and engaging novel. Chris Cleave skilfully weaves a story told by two women in alternating chapters. Their story, narrated in the first-person, ... READ MORE
A fairly good story, up to a point
If it weren’t for the glowing reference contained in the letter to the reader from the editor in the flyleaf of this book, I would have been moderately imp... READ MORE
The Other Hand
An absolutely compelling read.I was drawn in by the blurb - left wondering what on earth the story could be. I usually stick to one or two genres of book -... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I didn't really understand the hype for this book. The characters are generally not very likeable and difficult to relate to. The writing style also kind... READ MORE
One to read
Reading this book is a bit like driving slowly towards a major pile up on the motorway, you want to look away, but are morbidly drawn to see what has happe... READ MORE
So Emotional
I was so moved by the prose and narrative that I felt lost when the final words had been read.
Disappointing
I bought this book because of the intriguing blurb. Although there were parts of the book which were beautifully written and incredibly captivating, I felt... READ MORE
The Other Hand
This is a riveting book. I wanted to know what happened so much, that I finished it in two days. It combines two narratives, one by Little Bee, a sixteen y... READ MORE
The Other Hand
This book completely captivated me, even though there were frequent moments when reading it was uncomfortable and disconcerting. The simplicity of the lang... READ MORE
The Other Hand
The book does bring to light some interesting points about immigration and Africa, however, I was actually expecting a book that kept me on the edge of my ... READ MORE
Found to be lacking.
I brought this on the strength of the Waterstones review with the anticipation of excellent twist at the end.
At first I could not put the book down and th... READ MORE
Disturbingly Plausible
The story of a young Nigerian refugee and a moderately successful english journalist who are suddenly thrown together by fate.
Both have their demons to sl... READ MORE
The Other Hand
Sarah and Andrew O'Rourke had gone on holiday some years ago to Nigeria, and now Andrew was dead. Sarah had to take sole charge of their son little Charlie... READ MORE
The Other Hand
This book shocked and saddened me. I did not like to think that I was looking into the face of Western discrimination. This is not just about the haves and... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I couldn't put this book down. The story is compelling, thought provoking and well told. I felt the ending let the book down, but having said that I woul... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I thought this was a great book and I found it hard to put down once I'd started it. I thought it gave an great insight into the difficult issues Refugees ... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I enjoyed this book and haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished it. It certainly makes you think about a wealth of issues. I would rec... READ MORE
The Other Hand
We chose this for our reading group and I was so disinterested in the characters that it was a couple of weeks later when I bothered to finish the book!
The Other Hand
didn't think a novel about immigration would be enjoyable, but Chris Cleave works magic with this book. The dual narrative between an English woman and an ... READ MORE
The Other Hand
This is a totally different book for me to read anyway, but i was drawn to the book by the short reading on the back.This book had me laughing, crying and ... READ MORE
The Other Hand
my review is very simple! Just read it, you will enjoy it!!
The Other Hand
I bought this book becasue of the sleeve notes which I found very appealing. Sadly I made a mistake. It was very slow never really got the the point and ... READ MORE
so-so
When I first got this flip book (which, by the way, I think is a fantastic and convenient idea. I could hardly believe a whole novel was packed into the li... READ MORE
Not just a PR stunt...
I was concerned about this book and worried that it would all just be a publicity stunt about not being able to tell you anything about the story. However,... READ MORE
The Other Hand
The Other Hand is not an easy read. It is emotionally challenging, laugh-out-loud hilarious and demanding. It is also one of the most compelling books I ha... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I enjoyed this book and haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished it. It certainly makes you think about a wealth of issues. I would rec... READ MORE
The Other Hand
THis is the first time I have been spurred to write a review and have only done so because I felt so cheated by the marketing blurb. A reasonable plot, whi... READ MORE
Not as good as the blurb, but good
The various characters in this book are difficult to connect to emotionally, but I found that was a consequence of them all being quite believable. Unlike ... READ MORE
The Other Hand
This was a Waterstone's Bookclub choice - and a worthy choice which provoked a lot of discussion. This is a beautiful and moving book, told by two narrator... READ MORE
Truth or fiction?
I found this book incredibly easy to read. Little Bee describes her life experiences in a way which leaves the reader open-mouthed in shock.
How can anothe... READ MORE
The Other Hand
After reading the back of the book, curiosity took over and I had to buy it.
I cant say it was the best book i have read. It seemed fairly flat and I found... READ MORE
Wow
What a read. This is one of the best books I've ever read and I've read many. To tell you anything would give it away. My advice is buy it and read it.
The Other Hand
An interesting read, this book challenges you to think about what you would do in this situation...I really enjoyed it.
The Other Hand
This book is incredable. I finished it in 2 days. The story line is interesting, appealing and just draws the reader straight into the book. Little Bee's s... READ MORE
The Other Hand
after all the hype it let me down. ok as a summer read.
The Other Hand
I wouldn't usually mention the blurb of a book in a review but the one for 'The Other Hand' is different. It refuses to tell you what happens in the story ... READ MORE
The Other Hand
Nothing great really, wonder why is it a bestseller.
The Other Hand
I was a marketing sucker and I bought this when it came out based on the secretive blurb.I was so disappointed as many things didn't make sense to me. How... READ MORE
Starts well but... ending is upsetting
The decision to buy this book was based on the blurb which left me wondering what could make this story "special".
The author creates two strong main char... READ MORE
The Other Hand
Just brilliant! Desperately sad, yet humorous, devasting yet inspiring. I could not put this book down! It's a realitiy check for us all and I would urg... READ MORE
The Other Hand
I was very disappointed with this book. I found it boring, slow going and with no real twist to it. I've concluded that the reason the author does not want... READ MORE