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The three main human characters all have their issues to cope with. Lennox is a teenager who is being bullied at school. Bounced around from foster to foster, he doesn’t feel he has a place to belong. Ava is heavily pregnant and trying to break free from an abusive marriage. Heather is an older woman contemplating suicide after a terminal health diagnosis. The Space Between Us reminded me of one of my favourite sci-fi movies Arrival, and although I don’t think it’s quite as brilliant as that movie, I still really appreciated what it did. The story shines in its portrayal of these three protagonists, and the interweaving of their storylines. There’s a deep sense of loneliness to all of them at the start, and their journey of connection to each other, themselves and the humans around them is a wonderful one to witness. Ironically wonderful, as it took an alien visitor to begin with. Without spoiling any of their story- and character-arcs, Heather, Ava and Lennox were all well-rounded and memorable character, and I enjoyed their arcs equally. They find they have a curious connection to this creature and a strong will to ensure that Sandy survives. That’s nowhere near as easy as it should be because Sandy seems in poor shape and this small group of people are not the only ones interested in the creature, but the others seem less concerned with Sandy’s welfare and more with capturing it for their own nefarious purposes.
Lennox is a troubled teenager with no family. Ava is eight months pregnant and fleeing her abusive husband. Heather is a grieving mother and cancer sufferer. They don't know each other, but when a meteor streaks over Edinburgh, all three suffer instant, catastrophic strokes...Johnstone has a degree in physics, a PhD in nuclear physics and a diploma in journalism. Before embarking on his literary career, he designed radar and missile guidance systems for military aircraft. [8]
Lennox, Ava, and Heather feel a pull towards the creature, which Lennox names Sandy. They need to get to them to help them… It finally made sense, the idea that Sandy was plural. We all are. And the human idea of being singular, apart, alone, was a ridiculous way of looking at life." Doug Johnstone is an author, musician and long-time Big Issue books critic. Here he describes how suffering a stroke changed his outlook, and his writing. These three are special for reasons they don’t understand, and they are drawn to a strange octopus-like creature on a beach outside Edinburgh, where the meteor was seen crashing into the sea. To save its life, they have to go on a road-trip across the Scottish Highlands, dark forces chasing after them all the way. I jokingly told my publisher the elevator pitch: ‘ ET meets Thelma and Louise’. But there’s a kernel of truth in that.
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As for Ava, her journey is as much emotional as it is a literal. Breaking free from a marriage marred by coercive control and a constant threat of violence, and reconnecting with family she though lost is truly moving, portrayed in a way which creates as much anger as it does sympathy. As for Heather, she created a mixture of emotions. At times she seems strong and fully in control, and yet the sense of loss emanates from her and her vulnerability and sadness is always there, just below the surface. Doug Johnstone is a master at manipulating our emotions and he does a brilliant job here. I felt myself willing them to succeed, not only in their quest to help Sandy, but in their personal journey. And the literal journey is fraught with danger, as they are persued not only by Ava's husband but by people who want to take Sandy for their own fortunes. Our cephalopod, Sandy, is no different. They have found themselves homeless – forced from their home and looking for a safe place to live without fear. They are refugees and first we need to understand them, learn how to communicate with them and finally, find a way to live side by side with them in harmony. Coercively-controlled Ava, bullied schoolboy Lennox and terminally ill Heather don’t have their troubles to seek already when something strange happens to unite them one night just outside Edinburgh, in this week’s Star Read. I enjoyed this book! The writing was solid, easy to get through. I really liked Sandy and the other characters in this book. There was mystery, action and different POVs, which I all enjoyed. Was Johnstone sending a veiled political message? Well, maybe not. But I think I would happily exchange some of our own political representatives for those with the hearts and souls of our protagonists.
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