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When news reaches them of an octopus-like creature washed up on the shore near where the meteor came to earth, Lennox senses that some extra-terrestrial force is at play. With the help of Ava, Heather and a journalist, Ewan, he rescues the creature they call ‘Sandy’ and goes on the run. Johnstone's mesmeric story artfully puts Scotland centre stage in a sci-fi drama that is as much about the smallness of mankind and the importance of kinship as it is about ET needing to phone home. Pay attention, Steven Spielberg! This could be your next film' Marnie Riches
The Space Between Us did remind me a little bit of that classic Stephen Spielberg movie, ET. A cute alien trying to reconnect with their own, who gets assistance from a couple of humans. These humans understand and are willing to do anything to save this creature from the experimental hands of the scientists and government officials. All written with a few very modern twists, no bicycles in this one! Most of the story involves a chase to take the alien away from scientists and police who might exploit or harm it. The creature itself seems to have remarkable powers including telepathy. For me , the wonderful characters that Doug Johnstone has developed are what really drew me into the story. I could really feel Lennox's defiance and his need to feel like he belongs. The bond he formed with Sandy, that closeness that surpasses anything that Ava or Heather feel, really pulled me into the story. The communication between them, the understanding, is reminiscent of the bond between a certain short legged, waddling alien with an obscenely long finger from a well loved 80's movie, and his new friend Ell-ee-ot, but there is so much more to Sandy, a real cognisance which helps to develop our understanding of what is happening. It is a beautiful bond A clever and unusual read ... I was on a journey with these characters, and completely transfixed' Susi Holliday All the drive, curiosity and wonder of his crime and mystery novels … science fiction gains a new author' Derek B MillerJohnstone's mesmeric story artfully puts Scotland centre stage in a sci-fi drama that is as much about the smallness of mankind and the importance of kinship … Pay attention, Steven Spielberg! This could be your next film’ Marnie Riches 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.
Lennox, Ava, and Heather feel a pull towards the creature, which Lennox names Sandy. They need to get to them to help them… But they aren’ t the only ones with an interest in the alien … close behind are Ava’ s husband, the police and a government unit who wants to capture the creature, at all costs. And Sandy’ s arrival may have implications beyond anything anyone could imagine…
Summary
As well as firmly making the point that Sandy is a refugee in a very hostile environment, the genre allows Johnstone to explore deeply and inventively the theme of belonging. His protagonists all feel, in their own ways, isolated from the world around them, and the shared purpose they find in taking responsibility for Sandy binds them together, moulding them into a surrogate family. But their sense of becoming part of something bigger than themselves is taken to another level by the telepathic link with Sandy, felt most strongly by Lennox, which gives them visions of what it’s like to swim through an alien sea in a collective consciousness for whom “the human idea of being singular, apart, alone, was a ridiculous and lonely way of looking at life.”
The human characters are as nuanced as ever - Johnstone creates wonderful whole, flawed people - but in creating Sandy he has excelled himself. The colour-changing body, tentacles and telepathy are simply but masterfully described; the empathy and wisdom on the inside shown in scene after scene that moved this reader to laughter and tears. Sandy is also capable of pure joy, seen especially in the underwater trips they and Lennox take, and helps all three make connections in various ways.Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription So readable and accessible … I was really rooting for the characters' Alan Davies on Between the Covers
All see a flash of light in the sky and collapse where they are; all three wake up in the same hospital ward. Overnight, a whopping 16 people have had strokes, all of them were outdoors at the time. But while one of the bullies lies in the corner of the ward, alive but barely able to move, Lennox, Ava and Heather have recovered completely. This book reminded me of a cross between the movies ET and Alien. ET because the alien was kept hidden and was pursued by the authorities, and Alien because of the physicality of the lifeform and its ability to “talk” to humans using rudimentary language. I also liked the fact that Sandy was a refugee of sorts, a homeless being washed up on a shore, looking for a place to live without fear. How timely. This book has a lot of layers to it and it all worked for me. Recommended.
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But they aren't the only ones with an interest in the alien ... close behind are Ava's husband, the police and a government unit who wants to capture the creature, at all costs. And Sandy's arrival may have implications beyond anything anyone could imagine... When it comes to sci-fi, I’m very good at suspending my disbelieve. Squid-aliens touching down on earth? Sure. Telepathic communication? Hell yeah. 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. High stakes, high adrenaline and somehow so gentle and moving. This is one of the most beautiful, extraordinary books I've ever read' Ewan is a journalist who is following the story as it unfolds. However, whether he likes it or not, he gets entangled with Lennox, Ava, and Heather, and he ends up helping them in their quest.
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