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‘After You’d Gone’, Maggie O'Farrell

(23 Posts)
Patsy70 Wed 21-Jan-26 14:44:10

I finished reading this book this morning and loved it, so am now looking for more books by this author. I’ve ordered ‘The Hand That First Held Mine’ and downloaded it to my Kindle, so will start reading it tonight. Just wondered if anyone else has read and enjoyed her books.

westendgirl Wed 21-Jan-26 14:49:29

I have loved all of hers that I have read.

Fallingstar Wed 21-Jan-26 14:59:44

Can highly recommend The Marriage Portrait. Read Hamnet but was not overly impressed. Will have to read more, I do like this author.

Chocolatelovinggran Wed 21-Jan-26 15:01:13

Me, too, westendgirl. I bought my three daughters each a Maggie O'Farrell book for their birthdays last summer, and told them to " swap" . They were all hooked, one has bought The Marriage Portrait to share, and one is whizzing through Hamnet so that we can see it at the cinema this weekend.

TerriBull Wed 21-Jan-26 15:06:39

That was the first of hers I read, loved it. I've read all of her books, she's an excellent author. She has a new book "Land" out this summer. About Ireland I think. Looking forward to it.

argymargy Wed 21-Jan-26 15:07:25

I loved Hamnet and also have enjoyed The Marriage Portrait and After You'd Gone. I think she writes very well.

TerriBull Wed 21-Jan-26 15:21:43

Another good one The Vanishing Act of Emily Lennox.

Patsy70 Wed 21-Jan-26 17:29:33

Thank you, everyone, for your positive comments. I look forward to reading more of her books.

Fairislecable Wed 21-Jan-26 17:38:51

I really enjoyed I am,I am, I am - seventeen brushes with death.

It’s quite disturbing but I really liked it.

J52 Wed 21-Jan-26 18:24:35

I’d second The Marriage Portrait. Not only an excellent read, but also factually informative.

ixion Wed 21-Jan-26 19:25:00

Do try The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox.

Heartily recommended!

Patsy70 Wed 21-Jan-26 20:26:59

I certainly will ixion. Thank you. I’ll try all of your recommendations. 😊

Susieq62 Thu 22-Jan-26 13:53:28

Read I Am, I Am , I Am by her as well!
I am looking forward to her next book Land , out in June
I love her earlier work tbh but have read all her books

Literarylover Thu 22-Jan-26 14:18:35

Currently reading - and loving- This Must be The Place. Have also enjoyed Hamnet and The Distance Between Us - but The Marriage Portrait is a favourite after many years teaching My Last Duchess.

Blondie49 Thu 22-Jan-26 14:56:36

Loved the distance between us

Barbadosbelle Thu 22-Jan-26 16:43:21

Patsy70

A bit off-topic (but still close!).......

I've just bought the first novel written by Harriet Tyce ** (on Amazon Kindle). Published 2019.

A legal thriller that sounds very good and should be right up my street.
65,000+ reviews on Amazon. 4.2*

I hope that it's as good as it sounds as she has written a few others. Most were on the Sunday Times Best Sellers List and also recommended by the Judy & Richard Book Club. Sales of each seem to be (c) 500,000 to 1,000,000 copies.

I'm not 'a dipper' but like to totally immerse myself in a book for many many consecutive hours, and so I'm hoping for a quiet weekend so I can do just that.

** Harriet Tyce was in the latest 'Traitors' and was a Barrister for a decade. She was open about this on the programme and to being a published author - but she didn't give any indication of just how successful she was. She 'threw herself under the bus' for eviction at the Round Table when she strongly and persistently insisted that Rachel was a Traitor. She was, and still is. So good Detective skills from Ms Tyce!!
.

Patsy70 Thu 22-Jan-26 17:57:37

I’ve ordered a couple and added a few to my wish list. Many thanks again for all your comments and recommendations, they are so helpful.

Thank you, Barbadosbelle‘. I’ve ordered ‘The Lies You Told’, as it was only 99p, but some 5 years ago, according to my Amazon list, I read ‘Blood Orange’. I can’t remember it, so will take a look to refresh my memory.

Drangonfly Thu 22-Jan-26 18:28:54

I really loved Hamnet, it’s the sort of book that stays with you. I read The Marriage Portrait in my bookclub and have become a real fan of Maggie O’Farrell.

Jzpap Fri 23-Jan-26 00:27:42

I’ve read nearly everything Maggie O’Farrell has ever written although I’m still waiting to read the Marriage Portrait. Like you, After You’d Gone was the first of her books I came across. I read Hamnet when it first came out and devoured it in a couple of days. I go to the Cinema at least once a week so see most of the new films that are worth seeing. I’m slightly worried about Hamnet on screen as I’ve heard some of the reviews aren’t brilliant.

Patsy70 Mon 02-Feb-26 09:44:42

I’ve now read ‘I Am, I Am, I Am’ and have nearly finished ‘The Hand That First Held Mine’, which I think is absolutely wonderful. Will be buying more from my wish list as I’m absolutely hooked!

keepcalmandcavachon Mon 02-Feb-26 10:16:21

She's a wonderful writer, really draws you in. Can't wait for her new book.

PinkCosmos Mon 02-Feb-26 12:00:38

I have read all of her books except The Marriage Portrait which is on my TBR list. Also looking forward to her new book coming out (Land)

I have enjoyed them all and she is one of my favourite writers. I have read Hamnet and seen the film. IMO, they are very similar until the end. The actual play isn't featured quite so much in the book. The cinematography is fantastic, as is Jesse Buckley.

I couldn't remember the details of Hamlet (the play) so I rewatched it on IPlayer (or Sky Arts) with David Tennant. It is really worth a watch.

Patsy70 Fri 20-Feb-26 18:45:47

Have now read The Marriage Portrait, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and will continue to read more of her books, including all your recommendations. I will also watch Hamlet, with David Tennant, on iPlayer (thank you PinkCosmos) before reading Hamnet and watching it again, but at home, as the dialogue was difficult to hear at times at the cinema.