The Time Between Space by Charlie Laidlaw - #BookReview

 

Yippee! Mummy is taking me to the cinema and has told me that it's a surprise. This doesn't really make sense, because if taking me to the cinema is a surprise, why has she told me?

But this is typical Mum; opening her mouth and saying something, then realising that she shoudn't have said it and wishing that she could un-say it. Even in my short life, I know she's confused a lot of people - and offended many others. Nothing nasty, but if someone at the shops says what a nice day it is, Mum will often disagree about the weather.

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There are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on Earth...

Emma Maria Rossini appears to be the luckiest girl in the world. She's the daughter of a beautiful and loving mother, and her father is one of the most famous film actors of his generation. She's also the granddaughter of a rather eccentric and obscure Italian astrophysicist.

But as her seemingly charmed life begins to unravel, and Emma experiences love and tragedy, she ultimately finds solace in her once-derided grandfather's Theorem on the universe.

The Time Between Space is humorous and poignant and offers the metaphor that we are all connected, even to those we have loved and not quite lost.

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I so enjoyed reading this lovely book. I have previously read two of the authors books, The Things We Learn When We're Dead  and Everyday Magic both of which I enjoyed enormously. You can read my reviews of these books by clicking on the title.

The main character is Emma who we first meet as a child. Mr Laidlaw does a fabulous job of not only writing from the perspective of a child, but a child of the opposite sex which he does admirably well.

Emma has a wonderful relationship with her grandfather, Alberto Rossini, an astrophysicist. Running throughout this story is Alberto's book, Universe Theorum. Each chapter heading is an equation and there are many references to physics throughout this book which went way above my head. However, I am not a scientist, and I do not feel it is necessary prerequisite in order to get a lot out of this book.

For me, the relationship between Emma and her grandfather was perfect. Equally well done was her relationship with her actor father and her somewhat irrational mother.

A very enjoyable book and I am looking forward to Mr. Laidlaw's next offering.

This is a republication of the author's book, The Space Between Time. The cover photo above shows the new cover.

ISBN: 978 1901514759  

Publisher:  Ringwood Publishing

Purchase Link - Bookshop.org*

About the Author:

Charlie Laidlaw is a PR consultant, teaches creative writing, and lives in East Lothian. He is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh and was previously a national newspaper journalist and defence intelligence analyst. His other novels are The Things We Learn When We’re Dead, Being Alert!, Everyday Magic and Love Potions and Other Calamities.

All but one of Charlie Laidlaw’s novels have a strong local connection, collectively forming an East Lothian Quartet. 

Purchase Link - Bookshop.org*

(Book and all author info courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)

*Disclosure: I only recommend books I would buy myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains an affiliate link from which I may earn a small commission.