The Other Hand

Waves of Fate

On the sun-bleached beaches of West Africa, a chance meeting between Salima and a British holidaymaker transforms two lives in unexpected ways. In The Other Hand, Chris Cleave weaves a gripping tale of love and moral conflict that spans continents. Salima, an obstinate Gambian nurse, is haunted by the memory of her sister’s drowning—and resolved never to leave her homeland. Laura, a bright London banker, seeks escape from her own past but finds purpose in the most unlikely of places. When Laura defies her family’s expectations to smuggle Salima into England, their bond is forged in fear, hope, and the fragile promise of a new beginning.

Crossing Borders

As Salima navigates the legal labyrinth of the British asylum system, Chris Cleave exposes the human cost of immigration policy with unflinching honesty. From the icy corridors of refugee detention centers to the crowded streets of London’s East End, every step of Salima’s journey bristles with tension. Laura wrestles with guilt and loyalty as she fights for her friend’s right to stay, confronting indifferent officials, hostile neighbors, and the whispers of betrayal that threaten to tear them apart. Cleave’s prose pulses with authenticity, capturing the clash of cultures and the resilience of two women determined to rewrite the rules of their destinies.

Faces of Compassion

At its heart, The Other Hand is a profound meditation on the ties that bind us across oceans and the courage required to stand by those we love. Cleave’s richly drawn characters will linger long after the final page, reminding us that compassion can be the most radical act of all. With every twist of fate and every act of defiance, this novel challenges readers to consider the true meaning of home—and the lengths we will go to protect it.

. Chris Cleave – acclaimed British novelist born in 1973, celebrated for his emotionally charged storytelling and incisive explorations of moral complexity, whose works illuminate the enduring power of human connection.