The Other Hand

Currents of Compassion

From the sun-scorched sands of a Gambian beach to the rain-slicked pavements of London’s East End, The Other Hand sweeps readers into an odyssey of friendship, sacrifice, and moral courage. Chris Cleave’s masterful novel begins in the vibrant chaos of Serekunda, where nurse Salima’s fierce loyalty to her family collides with the bitter memories of her sister’s tragic drowning. Meanwhile, London banker Laura’s elegantly ordered life begins to unravel when she crosses paths with Salima on holiday—and makes a decision that will bind their fates forever. Cleave’s prose, both lyrical and unflinching, captures the raw pulse of two worlds bridged by empathy and the unspoken promise of new beginnings.

Passages of Hope and Despair

As Salima embarks on a perilous journey across deserts and seas, risking everything for the chance at safety, Laura finds herself ensnared in the labyrinth of the British asylum system. Cleave deftly portrays the Kafkaesque bureaucracy and the fragile humanity of those it ensnares, from weary immigration officers to fellow refugees seeking solace in shared stories. Alternating between Salima’s harrowing quest for survival and Laura’s mounting guilt—and blossoming resolve—to protect her friend, the novel unfolds as a riveting dual narrative that interrogates the true meaning of home and the ethical price of sanctuary.

Triumph of the Human Spirit

With each twist of fate and each act of defiance, The Other Hand challenges readers to confront their own assumptions about duty, identity, and belonging. In a breathtaking climax, Salima’s and Laura’s paths converge beneath the gray London sky in a testament to the resilience of hope and the profound power of compassion. This unforgettable tale reminds us that even the smallest gesture of solidarity can alter the course of a life—and that love, in its purest form, transcends every border.

. 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.