THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

The Den returns to an earlier Maggie O’Farrell novel ‘The Distance Between Us’ thanks to one our followers and avid bookclubbers. This is an immersive read that you won’t want to put down, telling the story of how the snap and often irrational decisions of youth catch up with us, fighting with or against our family and the realisation that the past will always draw you back. Published in 2004, this is a Missed Opportunity novel perfect for longer summer nights.

This is the story of two young people making their way in the world, who you know are destined to meet but are just not sure where and when! It’s a cold February and Stella is living and working in London, away from her needy sister Nina and her family in Scotland. Meanwhile Jake who only knows Hong Kong is enjoying his carefree life with friends as they prepare for Chinese New Year. The novel shifts between Stella’s world and Jake’s building a picture of these two young individuals and the families that influenced and shaped their lives. Their compass however is directing them both to Scotland. For Stella it is to run away following a haunting encounter from an unwelcome face in London, as well as lying low from her sister who stalks her life and feels like Stella’s emotional crutch with a secret that we as readers are running towards. For Jake, having survived celebrations that turned dangerous we follow his journey to England helping his ex-pat girlfriend and now wife recover from a crowded crush that nearly killed her. But as he tries to release himself from his new wife, he is also keen to find his father in Scotland and maybe a glimpse into his own family past.

With a delicious pace, a touching love story and sense of foreboding especially as the novel races to its crescendo, the Den enjoyed O’Farrell’s characterisation of young love and its journey of heartache and stepping into adulthood. Reminiscent of ‘One Day’ which presented similar themes and touchstones.

By the author of award winning ‘Hamnet’ - also reviewed in the Den library, along with 'The Marriage Portrait'.