The Hand That First Held Mine

The Hand that First Held Mine is a novel by British author Maggie O'Farrell, published in 2010 by Headline Review.

The book is a work of literary fiction that juxtaposes two seemingly unrelated narratives: one set in 1950s London, following an ambitious young woman named Lexie Sinclair who moves from rural Devon to the postwar Soho art scene, and another in the present day, centered around Elina Vilkuna, an artist coping with the challenges of new motherhood. Through alternating chapters, O'Farrell explores themes such as love, memory, identity, and the transformative nature of motherhood. The connection between the two women's lives gradually unfolds as the novel progresses, culminating in a revelation that links them across generations.

In the context of O'Farrell's work, the novel is noted for its exploration of emotional and psychological depth, focusing on memory and identity. It contributed to O'Farrell's reputation as a novelist skilled at blending intimate personal stories with broader thematic concerns.

The book was well received by critics and won the Costa Book Award for Novel in 2010.