Maggie O’Farrell’s 'My Lover’s Lover' was generally received as just “OK” by our book group. As fans of Maggie O’Farrell (especially those who had recently enjoyed Hamnet) expectations were high, which perhaps made the novel feel even more disappointing.
Many of us were more engaged in the first half, when the story’s eerie atmosphere and ambiguity, suggesting a ghost story or even a murder mystery, created real intrigue. However, interest waned once the true direction of the plot became clear.
The novel explores themes of obsession, love, deception and particularly how the past lingers in present relationships.
Lily’s growing fixation on Marcus’s former lover, Sinead, shows how absence can take on a powerful, almost haunting presence, with the past described as something that “seemed to breathe in the rooms.” Although Sinead is absent, she becomes a compelling figure, highlighting one of the book’s central ideas: that the past, and the people in it, can exert a strong hold over the present.
Marcus was widely disliked, and many of us struggled to understand why Lily stayed with him, making their relationship hard to invest in. The ending also felt unsatisfactory.
That said, O’Farrell’s talent as a writer is undeniable. Her prose is rich and evocative, particularly in her depiction of Marcus’s unsettling flat.
Finally, whilst 'My Lover’s Lover' may not be one of O’Farrell’s most compelling works, it certainly shouldn’t put you off reading more from her.
The next book to be read will be "The Time Machine" by HG Wells.
This will be discussed on Friday 8th May 2026.