After You'd Gone & The Distance Between Us 5 Books Collection Set by Maggie O'Farrell - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
After You'd Gone
The Distance Between Us
The Hand That First Held Mine
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
Hamnet

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback

Overview:
This five-book Maggie O’Farrell collection brings together a compact catalog of her rich, character-driven fiction in one attractive paperback set. Spanning contemporary domestic drama to sweeping historical fiction, the collection showcases five distinctive voices that share a narrator’s eye for intimate detail, precise language, and emotional honesty. Included are After You’d Gone, The Distance Between Us, The Hand That First Held Mine, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, and Hamnet—each a complete, immersive reading experience in its own right, yet together forming a through-line about memory, identity, and the ways families survive heartbreak. Ideal for readers building a Maggie O’Farrell shelf, gifting fans of literary fiction, or anyone who loves novels that blend lyrical prose with vivid, humane storytelling. The uniform paperback format makes this a cohesive, collectible addition to any bookcase.

What Makes This Collection Special:
This collection offers a curated gateway into Maggie O’Farrell’s diverse range: from the propulsive suspense of personal loss to the lush, historically textured worlds she crafts with care. Readers can experience the author’s signature clarity of voice, tactile scene-setting, and emotional resonance across multiple timelines. Owning the whole set is as much about the reading journey as the individual titles—a convenient, premium way to explore a single author’s evolution, compare thematic threads, and enjoy the aesthetic appeal of a matched paperback set that looks stunning on display. It also makes a thoughtful gift for book lovers who crave depth, craft, and lasting storytelling in one thoughtful bundle.

Books Included in This Collection:
After You'd Gone
On a journey that begins with a train ride from King’s Cross, a distraught young woman’s return to her family in Scotland becomes a doorway to memory and consequence. The tension escalates as the protagonist confronts a moment seen in a mirror at Waverley Station, and the ripple effects reach across relationships and time. The novel blends psychological insight with foreshadowing and a spare, lucid style that makes the reader feel the weight of choices and the power of unanswered questions.

The Distance Between Us
Two years apart, Stella’s quiet recognition of a man she hasn’t seen in years collides with Jake’s distant, dangerous awareness on the other side of the world. The two plights intersect across continents and cultures, weaving a meditation on memory, perception, and the uncertain line between familiarity and danger. This tense, emotionally charged narrative invites readers to question what they truly know about people from their past and the truth that lies beneath surface appearances.

The Hand That First Held Mine
Lexie Sinclair’s decision to begin a new life in 1950s London draws her into the vibrant Soho art scene, where ambition, romance, and artistic discovery collide. The novel also travels to the present day, following different generations as they navigate desire, identity, and the consequences of choices made in youth. With its dual timelines and lush atmosphere, this title explores how art and memory shape who we become—and how the past quietly governs the present.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
Esme Lennox’s outspoken, unconventional spirit shocks polite society; years later Iris Lockhart receives a letter that changes everything: she has a great-aunt who is about to be released from a psychiatric unit. The narrative threads together family secrets, moral complexity, and questions of identity, asking what defines a person when memory and history collide with social norms. A compelling study of love, loyalty, and the limits of what we understand about those we think we know.

Hamnet
Set in late 16th-century Stratford-upon-Avon, Hamnet follows a family grappling with illness, absence, and the quiet power of imagination. In the space between daily life and the forge of a son’s genius, the novel explores the ways a mother’s love, a father’s work, and a brother’s search for help intersect with history and art. It’s a luminous, elegiac reimagining of a real-life tragedy that resonates with timeless themes of family, memory, and the making of a story.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
Ideal for adult readers who adore literary fiction with strong character focus and atmospheric settings. Fans of Maggie O’Farrell will appreciate the breadth of her storytelling in one affordable collection, while new readers gain a comprehensive introduction to her distinctive voice. It’s an excellent gift for book clubs, collectors seeking a complete author set, and readers who enjoy emotionally resonant narratives that marry intimate scenes with larger social or historical backdrops.

Key Benefits:

• Five complete novels by Maggie O’Farrell in a single, convenient collection
• Varying timelines—from contemporary to historical fiction—showcasing range within a single author
• Premium paperback set with cohesive design for beautiful display and gifting
• Rich, character-driven storytelling that rewards immersive, long-form reading
• Great value versus purchasing each title individually
• Highly suitable for book clubs, reader communities, and bibliophile collectors
• Perfect for fans of literary fiction, motherhood, memory, and identity themes

About the Author:
Maggie O’Farrell is an acclaimed novelist whose work spans contemporary and historical fiction, notable for intimate character portraits, precise prose, and a gift for weaving memory and identity into immersive narratives. The five novels included in this collection—After You’d Gone, The Distance Between Us, The Hand That First Held Mine, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, and Hamnet—showcase her versatility and mastery of voice. Across these titles, O’Farrell blends sharp observation with lyrical storytelling to illuminate the complexities of family life, desire, and the stories we tell about ourselves. Readers are drawn to her calm, lucid style and the emotional spine that runs through every page.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
This collection offers a rich, interconnected reading experience that highlights Maggie O’Farrell’s skill in crafting vivid worlds and memorable characters. With five stand-alone novels, you gain a broad spectrum of moods, eras, and themes, all written in her distinctive, accessible voice. It’s a thoughtful, lasting gift for readers who love immersive storytelling and for those building a curated, author-spanning library. The set simplifies choosing your next book, while inviting deep dives into each title’s unique atmosphere and emotional heartbeat.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.