The Hand That First Held Mine Book

"Listen. The trees in this story are stirring, trembling, readjusting themselves. A breeze is coming in gusts off the sea, and it is almost as if the trees know, in their restlessness, in their head-tossing impatience, that something is about to happen."

"A graveled path curves towards the front door of the house. On the washing-line, petticoats and vests, socks and stays, nappies and handkerchiefs snap and writhe in the breeze. A radio can be heard from somewhere, one of the neighbouring houses perhaps, and the muffled thwack of an axe falling on wood."

And so, I was lost to these words, lost and found in another place in time, which took my breath away. Having just read her "The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox" mere days ago, which also swept me into her story from the start, I'm once again in awe of her skills as a writer. Not only her ability to craft lovely sentences, paragraphs, but her ability to weave together two stories that join together with such perfection that I am in awe.

Alexandra, or Sandra as her mother calls her (a nickname she detests) will eventually go by "Lexie," a nickname given her by a man she has not met quite yet. She is twenty-one as this begins, and eager for life beyond the four walls of her parents house, and the small life she has living on this country lane.

"She has a creeping fear of late that what she wants most'for her life to begin, to take on some meaning, to turn from blurred monochrome into glorious technicolour'may pass her by. That she might not recognize it if it comes her way, might fail to grasp for it."

Innes Kent is just down the road from her at this moment, a thirty-four year old man, an art dealer and journalist, and many more things - but the one thing he is not is a car mechanic - which would certainly come in handy now that his car, a silver and ice-blue MG, has broken down.

It is later on, in 1950's London is where this story really begins, in and around Soho, and I wandered through these streets with Lexie as she slowly learns what she wants from this life.

An alternating storyline that takes place some fifty or so years later, where we follow the lives of Elina and Ted, which weaves through this book, as well. It all is so seamless that it doesn't feel disruptive, with transitions that seem effortless and natural.

Many of my friends have read and loved her books, Angela, and Betsy come to mind quickly, as well as Debbie (and her pogo stick), who hasn't read this one, yet, but has become a fan. Angela's review for This Must Be the Place was the one I remember wanting to read first, but I've read these in the order my library has them available for me - and I'm not complaining! I hate to leave this one behind, but I hear others calling me.

Of note: at the end of this story there is another story - a short story, which others have also mentioned, The House I Live In, which I also loved. A somewhat haunting tale. This story can also be read online:



Angela's review:
Betsy's review:
Debbie's review:


Many thanks, as well, to the Public Library system, and the many Librarians that manage, organize and keep it running, for the loan of this book!