The Space Between Time

by Charlie Laidlaw

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

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2019

About the author

I was born in Paisley, central Scotland, which wasn’t my fault. That week, Eddie Calvert with Norrie Paramor and his Orchestra were Top of the Pops, with Oh, Mein Papa, as sung by a young German woman remembering her once-famous clown father. That gives a clue to my age, not my musical taste.

I was brought up in the west of Scotland (quite near Paisley, but thankfully not too close) and graduated from the University of Edinburgh. I still have the scroll, but it’s in Latin, so it could say anything.

I then worked briefly as a street actor, baby photographer, puppeteer and restaurant dogsbody before becoming a journalist. I started in Glasgow and ended up in London, covering news, features and politics. I interviewed motorbike ace Barry Sheene, Noel Edmonds threatened me with legal action and, because of a bureaucratic muddle, I was ordered out of Greece.

I then took a year to travel round the world, visiting 19 countries. Highlights included being threatened by a man with a gun in Dubai, being given an armed bodyguard by the PLO in Beirut (not the same person with a gun), and visiting Robert Louis Stevenson’s grave in Samoa. What I did for the rest of the year I can’t quite remember.

Surprisingly, I was approached by a government agency to work in intelligence, which just shows how shoddy government recruitment was back then. However, it turned out to be very boring and I don’t like vodka martini.

Craving excitement and adventure, I ended up as a PR consultant, which is the fate of all journalists who haven’t won a Pulitzer Prize, and I’ve still to listen to Oh, Mein Papa.

I am married with two grown-up children and live in East Lothian.

Reviews

[Scarlett Readz and Runz....Through Novel Time & Distance · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Just finished...my heart aches in the best of ways all shook up 😿😹

"Entanglement is the quantum theory of nonlocality and describes the ability of objects to instantaneously know about each other's state, even though separated by large distances... It means that the cosmos may be connected in ways we don't yet understand."

I will be easy for me to gush about this novel because I do think that Laidlaw understands. He understands the intricacies of human emotions and the connectivity of all things in relation to others. This is clearly imbued throughout this novel as the fabric of the plot grows into a beautiful tapestry illustrating hindsight that relishes of a life lived, chances dealt, peace sought and forgiveness to be found.

The Space Between Time is a coming of age story that begins with Emma Rossini's childhood growing up with one parent being a famous actor, her father, and the other her mother, a beautiful more introverted but supportive foundation at home.

Each chapter begins with a scientific formula, an expression of what has influenced Emma's life or what will be talked about in the chapter. Why is this? Well, Emma's Italian grandfather is an astrophysicist who created the Rossini Theorem and has influenced Emma's life in many ways. A beautiful way to connect Emma's chaotic life as it is in the middle of the book with the science behind the cosmos and an understanding of her place in this world.

I enjoyed this novel immensely. At first, it starts off so normal. A family, togetherness, and bantering around. But then it becomes clear, that behind the scenes, things aren't what they seem to be. Isn't it always that way?

Emma's mother is a very sensitive person. Her father is climbing the ranks of fame and the marriage and family life begin to suffer. As a child, this isn't so obvious to Emma, but as she gets older, she is beginning to form her own opinions on the matter. As her dad's absence is immediately impacting her own life and she finds herself alone on Christmas with her mother, not even a call from her father who is away to shoot a movie, as usual, she begins to get upset and the roots of resentment instill.

With fame, comes a move to a bigger house, to bigger things in life and to more chaos as Emma finds her mother dead on a nearby cliff. This is the straw that breaks the camels back. As soon as Emma is old enough, she moves away, gets her education and changes her name. She does not want to be associated with her father's fame. To her, her father is dead.

Emma's grandparents are her saving grace. Even though they moved back to Italy, they are always involved with her and she continues to visit them. Her grandfather's theorem by her side, her interest in his ideas begin to attract her curiosity and understanding. When things are at their worst in Emma's life, it is part of what saves her in the end.

"My grandfather had found the missing part of the universe. I'd been looking for the missing part of me. Maybe, for my father, the missing part of both of us."

A letter from Emma's father, read long after she received it, is a moving piece towards her way of forgiveness.

***

This is a moving book. It is unexpected. Poignantly written it stretches the reader's emotion and connectivity that could reflect one's own experiences. Not in all ways but in many. Loss, grief, anger, love are all emotions we can relate to but may perceive differently as we get older. This novel illustrates this perfectly. Though flawed characters comes an understanding of faults that can burden without ones want for it, a lack of undoing through unseized moments neither purposely or not, are the chances missed and the spaces unfilled that lead to resentment or loss.

Perhaps by a lifetime lived are we granted the ability to understand it all and forgive. If we are wiser, perhaps sooner!

Personally, I have always been an old soul with extreme intuitiveness. What I lacked in my younger years was the space that needs to be filled by life experiences to make all connections. What spoke to me about this novel is the 436-page journey that eloquently showed a path of life as it comes full circle. From humorous moments to dead ends, many facets and situations make this novel a joy to read with characters to love and hate. It spoke my language, I connected with it and really enjoyed it. Even more so then Laidlaw's previous novel.

If you need a book to feel again or feel something, this is a good one to try. It had me teary-eyed for sure.

I received a physical copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you.

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com

‘The Space Between Time’ is the latest novel from Scottish-born author, Charlie Laidlaw. We meet Emma, our main character, as a child when she gives us a breakdown of her early life memories in the first person in a mixture of present and past tense.

Her grandfather, Alberto Rossini, is an Italian astrophysicist who was the first Professor of Theoretical Physics at Edinburgh University. Her father is a successful actor who was just beaten to the part played by Sean Connery in ‘The Search for Red October’ and her mother, a graceful, yet slightly unstable goddess-like creature who finds herself overwhelmed by the minutiae of life. With this pedigree, Emma definitely had an unusual and highly privileged upbringing.

Underpinning the story are references to Alberto Rossini’s Universe Theorem, which I didn’t really connect with. In addition, we have a sprinkling of acting royalty with whom Emma’s family rub shoulders on a regular basis. The developing story is gentle and quite amusing and we have a few tantalising hints at deeper layers as we witness aspects of the dynamics between the famous film star and his beautiful wife, through the eyes of their daughter.

It is extremely hard to write from the perspective of a different gender in the first person and even harder for an adult to write from the perspective of a child. Nonetheless, in the first of the three parts, Charlie Laidlaw did a pretty good job in entertaining his audience; although, at times, Emma seemed very knowledgeable and intuitive for her age and at others, naïve in the extreme. I may have missed it, but I’m not totally sure how old she was supposed to be but I’m guessing early teens.

As she gets older, it becomes clear Emma has deep-rooted emotional issues. Through skilful use of imagery, Charlie Laidlaw paints a picture of a tortured lonely soul in desperate need of help. Originally it seemed we were witnessing a light-hearted journey of an adolescent to adulthood but gradually the story becomes a much deeper, darker exploration of a downward spiral into psychosis.

I don’t know if all the equations are accurate but assuming they are, then the author is indeed an accomplished mathematician. Whilst I got lost in the dark matter, quantum mechanics, black holes and particle physics, I have no doubt other readers will be able to engage with aspects of the tale that eluded me. I can never fully appreciate a story that is too clever for me but it was well written with a neat little twist near the end. For the innovative backdrop and emotionally-charged nature of the plot, I objectively award four stars.

[Nila (digitalcreativepages)]

There are books which have to be read at the right time. Each book sends the right message at the right time when we would be more receptive to what it says. I would be honest enough to admit that I am not in the frame of mind to really get into the depths of the story, to listen to the whispers the words utter, to understand the emotions that this book was trying to send across to me.

I like my books fast because my frame of mind demands it. I need to be distracted from my real life and this book needed a depth and an insight which is lacking in me at the moment. So my review would be based on my understanding of this book as of today.

Emma has a childhood which is sort of happy where the father is an actor and the mother a housewife. An absentee father and a mother with mental health problems leads to repercussions in the child. Then the mother dies and the child Emma blames the absentee father, and the book tells me the story of her life.

My first book by Charlie Laidlaw, the book felt long where it told me day to day life story of Emma. The author's writing had me following her turmoil and thoughts, the incidents and the disasters. Many events of her life had its own twists, and I liked the way she came out of them. Emma coped in her own way till it got difficult. The last 30% was where I liked the book. There was this strange pain in my heart when Emma talked to her doc. Her life as seen at different stages of her life like a story in a journal made me feel sad. You could say I connected with her then.

The book is for a niche audience who like the way each day is written in long lines and longer tangential emotions. Overall, I would say one needs to be in the right frame of mind to understand the hidden layers of this book.

[Yesha- Books Teacup and Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can read all my review on Blog - Books Teacup and Reviews

The Space Between Time was contemporary fiction that revolved around Emma’s life and her grandfather’s famous theorem that helped her understand world and herself, to come out of loss and grief and move on in life. It was about loss, grief, love, family, fame and its fatal effects, forgiveness, and mental health.

I have mixed feeling for this book. It was quite different but it was also not the best and I really didn’t enjoy some part of the book .

First the writing was descriptive, flowery and beautiful filled with wit and emotion. It was first person narrative. Emma’s voice was different, I loved the way she told her life story. It felt like reading Emma’s diary where she jotted down her life and thoughts, like Diary of young Girl. And I liked those unique chapter headings with math equations.

It started with Emma, introducing her imperfect family. A mom, Caitlin who was always anxious, worrier, low esteemed but utterly beautiful, good at heart, hated limelight, attraction and ostentatious life style that she could not avoid because of her famous Hollywood star husband, Paul, Emma’s father for whom his looks and acting career was always important than his family and for that Emma never wanted to be like him, in fact hated him.

Emma loved her mother, felt protective for her, and always supported her when she felt anxious. But a child cannot possibly save a person from depression and unhappiness. Even though they had all money, luxury, and fame, Emma and her family was unhappy, never at peace. It affected Emma’s childhood and mental health. When tragedy struck, she couldn’t cope with situation, it shattered her from within. Things and life went on and so did Emma, but only outwardly and that lead her to series of bad decisions.

Emma was more attached to her grandparents. Alberto was Italian astrophysicist who could explain everything by mathematics and had written a controversial book. Her relationship with them was great, we see them more in first part and through Alberto’s book. I liked them, I wish I could know them more.

I didn’t like Emma’s father. He was ungrateful person who put everything else before his family. I even hated him for what happened to Caitlin and Emma, what they had to go through because of his fame and had to face everything alone as he was never with them when they needed him. Like Emma, I also thought why he married her mother as there was apparently no love and I didn’t care what happened to him later in the book, until third part of the book.

I loved the way author represented life of celebrities and how difficult the life of fame can be and not just for them but their family as well. How it can have both positive and negative impact. It was insightful to read about impact of parents’ behavior on children’s life and their mind. I cannot stop thinking about the way Emma’s parents behaved and what could have been if they could be more sensible, resolve their problems by conversation and bit of trust.

Third part was best in whole book. Everything made much more sense, her voice, narration, plot, characters. I could understand Emma, her mother and father even better. Like Emma, I was surprised by knowing and seeing everything that happened in her life with different perspective and this changed my thoughts about all other characters.

I liked the way Emma developed in this part and learned and accepted things in hard way. I liked the end, the final chapter where she was different person than the first one, wise, sensible and little less mad.

Why 3 Stars-

I will be honest here. I couldn’t understand anything about Alberto’s book or Rossini Theorem. Like Emma and her parents, I’m not good with numbers, physics was never my favorite subject, and astrophysics is alien to me. It was kind of boring part for me and I itched to skip those part whenever the story and the events were connecting to his theories.

First part of the book was slow but second was even slower, terribly slow. At the end of the second part I felt first part was much better both in terms of pace and plot and characters. It took me more than a week to finish this book!

I couldn’t connect with Emma and I didn’t care what she was doing, especially in second part. I’m glad third part was much better or I would have hated Emma.

I didn’t enjoy as much as I expected.

Overall, it was slow read with complex theorem and Emma’s life but definitely unique story. If you don’t mind slow pace and you love astrophysics and its connection to life, go ahead.

*** Note: I received e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. ***

[Nicole (TheBookWormDrinketh) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Charlie Laidlaw has blown my mind, opened my heart and also opened my mind. His lyrical prose had me thinking that I could do anything I set my mind to in life, while at the same time making me feel ridiculously, insignificantly small.

I absolutely loved the parallels between Emma’s life and the physics equations in her grandfather’s theorum, making the whole thing a mix of the mysteries of the universe and a touching coming of age story.

I’ve always had a fascination by the lives of celebrities children. Haven’t you felt sorry for them? They never chose to be born to those parents (none of us do), but they are forced to live their lives in the limelight, probably never really knowing who their real friends are…. it all must be very tough. Funny, that I never really thought of the wives of those celebrities. I mean, really they’re normally celebrities themselves. But, what about those who aren’t? What about those who have been with their spouse since before the fame and are thrust into this life, as well? Something to think about!

This whole novel reminds me of something I used to say when I was younger. I’ve always believed that our lives are all novels that are being written as we go along, and the most amazing thing is the appearance that we make in other people’s novels. There are the significant appearances, like me in the book of my man’s life, or even the lives of ex-boyfriends. but, there are the lives that we just barely touch: the woman who dropped something and you helped her pick it up, the man behind the counter of the corner store you went to for water…. We may not think about it, but we’re a part of so many stories out there. We need to make sure that it’s a good part.

I would absolutely love to sit down with Charlie one day and pick his magnificent brain. Does he love math and physics? Was this all made up? Did it stem from something, and what made him decide to mix the real and fantasy world instead of just making up all the actors and movies? And, last but definitely NOT least…. What is up with his obsession with Sean Connery and white wine?? Don’t think I didn’t notice the significant mentions of these things in BOTH novels, Charlie Laidlaw!! …Coincidence??

If you haven’t figured it out, yet… I LOVED THIS BOOK! I really hope that you will all give this book filled with life, love, loss, laughter… and mathematics a chance.

[K.S. Marsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma's life is not easy, but she constantly finds beauty in the small things.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story follows Emma, although not always in a linear fashion.
Emma is the daughter of a famous actor; has a beautiful mother; and has a genius of a grandfather, who is either famous or infamous, depending on whom you're asking.
The big things don't matter, though. Emma observes the little things with a beauty and innocent interest. She deals with her "butterfly" mother, and meeting famous film stars, with natural acceptance.

I don't normally read Contemporary books, but this was beautifully written. I love how Emma's character is presented. Regardless of her age, she is both mature and keeps an air of innocence. There's the detachment that comes with reflection, but there are so many poignant moments. And through it all, Laidlaw weaves a subtle humour.
At it's bare bones, this is a very simple story, that loves the little things; but it is very readable.

I really enjoyed this slow unveiling of Emma's story, and I will definitely be reading more of Laidlaw's work.

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Rossini lives what most people would consider a charmed life. However, appearances can be deceptive. When Emma’s actor father Paul Ross, becomes, as Emma herself puts it, ‘properly famous’ he moves the family out of their familiar, large flat in Edinburgh to a run down mansion in North Berwick, a seaside town just outside Edinburgh.

Cat, Emma’s mother, likes to keep a low profile which is easier said than done considering who her husband is. Paul is away much of the time and Cat suffers from depression and anxiety knowing he comes into contact and works with many beautiful women. She resorts to drink and pills to cope, not hiding her feelings of agitation. Emma is exposed to everything that goes on but likes having her mother to herself, despite her highly strung and over anxious personality, because she adores her and knows her mother returns that love. She’s less sure about her father’s feelings. He’s hardly ever home, never wants his family to travel with him and is quite inconsiderate of their feelings. It’s quite an insight into the pitfalls of living with someone famous who relishes the adoration—how, as Emma realises, even when he’s not present he still seems to be the centre of attention.

'I stopped believing in him one Christmas Day, a long time ago, when he simply didn’t turn up. It wasn’t his presents that I missed, or even his presence, but the warm, fuzzy feeling of being important to him.'

The story pulled me in the more I read, with lighthearted humour to offset the pathos of the darker elements. Told in the first person from Emma’s perspective as she grows from child to adult. Her recounting of events follows her thoughts as they arise (which could have made the narrative less smooth, but doesn’t) and reflects how events have shaped her, how she perceives her life and the people around her at different stages. She is not averse to editing here and there and describes herself as an unreliable narrator as we learn later. A devastating event does have far reaching consequences however, giving rise to a name change and reinvention of herself. She is a well fleshed out, realistic character and very easy to empathise with, even if sometimes I wanted to give her a good talking to. Lots of issues are sensitively explored including depression, suicide and isolation.

The Space Between Time is another intriguing, perceptive and character driven read from Charlie Laidlaw. A well written, moderately paced book ostensibly about the intricacies of an unconventional family’s life but in reality, so much more than that. A story of love, a great loss and working through issues to find a way back to oneself. Clearly defined, complex and easily imagined characters jump off the pages in situations that are all to easy to imagine.

I must mention the mathematical expressions in the unique chapter headings, which are in keeping with the astrophysics thread, and confess to a soft spot for Emma’s grandfather, Alberto, and his very expressive moustache. Alberto is one of the key figures in Emma’s life, and his theories about space and mathematics run through the background of the story.

‘Our existences were defined, not by who we were, but by our relationship to him. He was our star, we circled in uneasy orbit. Mum was a moon; I sometimes felt like a small piece of space junk.’ [Emma talking about her father]

I chose to read and review The Space Between Time based on a copy of the book kindly supplied by the author and Accent Press.

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! I wasn't quite expecting this book to be the emotional journey that it turned out to take me on, but it was a stunning story of what happens when a seemingly perfect life starts to unravel, showing the highs and lows of family life and that the life we all probably dream of isn't as it seems.

Emma is the star of this book - she's the daughter of a loving but neurotic mum, a father who becomes a hugely famous actor and this story charts her life as she deals with an unconventional lifestyle, and how she learns about the world around her and how tragic events shape her life and put on her a different path to what she imagined.

The fame that her father finds turns his head so he's rarely around for his wife and daughter, and her mother doesn't cope well with this. He moves the family to a large mansion but they never find happiness there and their lives become defined by him and his actions.

You cannot help but become so attached to Emma as she's confronted with such sadness in her life - she idolized her grandfather whose own life was met with ridicule for what he believed, but in him she finds a kindred spirit and often shares his beliefs and perspective on the world around them and how you should see yourself. She sees the 'perfect' life that her Dad portrays of his family life in the media and knowing the truth it really messes her up, and this outlook causes her to try and find a way to get his attention and to become her own person.

She finds some comfort when she becomes a writer and never plays on her famous name - she wants to write about things that matter and not the superficial celebrity world she has been witness to. She changes her name to try and become 'herself' but the mental issues she's always struggled with are never far away. There is so much I think we can all relate to with this character as she finds herself in different stages of her life trying to figure out who she really is, and how much outside influences have changed her perspective and clouded her judgement.

There was so much to love about this book and the characters portrayed - it's heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measures and is definitely going to be one of my most treasured reads of 2019!

[K.L. Loveley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was reccomended to me and I am so glad that it was. Charlie Laidlaw has a unique writing style, quite unlike any other. My own interests are varied and cross over from the literary world to the world of all things scientific. He has written a brilliant piece of fiction which follows the story of Emma, the daughter of a famous actor and her beautiful neurotic mother.
Add to this mix, a genius grandfather whose mood is reflected in the position of his moustache, allowing an element of humour to creep into the narrative. He is an astrophysicist who is rather eccentric, giving the author an opportunity to use his theorem of the universe to show how the characters are all connected.
In some respects by using science alongside the narrative, it puts me in mind of the seventeenth century metaphysical poets who used scientific detail to give meaning to emotion.
A great book, well written and original.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie Laidlaw has long become a favourite of mine. Of the books I have read so far, each one has had this magical quality regardless of the genre, that really makes them stand apart from the rest. The Space Between Time was no different.

This unique, unnameable quality is why I can’t wait to read his stuff, and let me tell you, even with an insider edge, it was a LONG wait for this one.

There is quite a lot of time-hopping in this book, and one of the things I particularly enjoyed was how much the narration changed as Emma grows up. It truly is amazing how a child views circumstances around them versus how an adult would interpret them, which is the whole point behind this story. Emma experiences the worst kind of tragedy which basically forms the adult she becomes, and it colours the way she see the people in her life, particularly her father.

As children we often misunderstand or misinterpret what the adults in our lives said and did. How could we not? Children can’t possibly comprehend the complex nature of adult relationships, nor can they grasp the idea of mental illness, death, or grief. They just feel it, absorb it, and ultimately it shapes the person they are to become.

The Space Between Time is so many things. It’s heart-breaking, evocative, and challenging. It’s also funny, and endearing. I experienced a world of feelings while reading it, sometimes loving the protganist, other times wanting to shake her.

Overall, though, I just really enjoyed this story, and while it may be heavier than one might normally pick as their “Summer” read, I promise there is laughter and lightness as well, and I whole heartedly recommend it!

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well what can I say about this? Other then utterly captivating, it's not only a stonking great story that has real human emotion and relatable character's, but I love the wit and some what darker humour that is laced through out the story from the first page. This is the first I have read by Charlie Laidlaw, and I have definitely been missing out on something, this book is so good, it's such a captivating story that really captures the readers attention. There are some thought-provoking and highly emotional themes that develop as the story moves steadily onwards.

This is one of those books that is so immersive and so intricate with his fascinating story that it is a hard book to write a review for as I don't want to give a single spoiler away, this is one of those rare books that no matter what genre you read this will be read and enjoyed by all. But the main thing I got from reading this is just how other peoples actions can determined the outcome of another's life, especially when that person is a parent, that alone makes it so relevant for many, ti's relatable and at times very hard hitting, it pulls at the heart strings.

The lead character Emma Maria Rossini never had the best or most conventional childhood, as we see from the first page her father is never home, and she is raised in what could be called a single parent family by her mother. Who from the off you instantly see that there isn't something no quite right about her erratic behaviour, her mother fully believes that her father is having an affair. Unfortunately, Emma grows up surrounded by so much tension what is going on between her parents is not hidden from her, she sees and hears everything and that does have a lasting effect on her that stretches into adult hood, you can see how her relationship with her father becomes strained and how it all puts a huge strain on her own mental health.

It is when she is advised to start writing a journal to put her mixed thoughts in one place, you really see Emma come out, Charlie Laidlaw has written a beautiful, heart-wrenchingly complex and realistic character with Emma, no matter what is going on in her tangled mind and life she has this great voice, that is so engaging.

Overall a great story that can really put life in general into perspective, its a very relevant story that hounds the message home not to judge on just one part of the story, there are always too sides.

Highly recommended!

[Shaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Charlie Laidlaw, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

But sometimes, unwittingly and unwillingly, I can see patterns: that one thing leads to another, and then another. Maybe that’s the story of everyone’s life, the random connections that we make, the coincidental meetings, and the inconsequential events that only later gain purpose or significance.

Can I start off by saying how much I like the cover of this book? The Space Between Time is the second novel I have read by Charlie Laidlaw. Like The Things We Learn When We’re Dead, this is a unique story. It’s told in the first person by Emma Maria Rossini as she grows from child to adult. I warmed to Emma and could relate to her in some ways. She is the daughter of a film star and while most people aspire to celebrity, the reality for Emma isn’t enviable. Her father appears distant and her mother hates being in the limelight. This creates a lot of friction in the family and Emma is stuck in the middle. Emma then experiences tragedy at a young age and this has a profound effect on her life.

Some heavy themes are explored in this book, including suicide, self-harm, and mental health. I think the author dealt with these topics in a sensitive manner. The novel is not too bleak though, as light-hearted moments of humour are interspersed throughout the narrative. I particularly liked Knox the cat, aptly named after the father of Scottish Presbyterianism, who disapproves of everyone. Emma herself has a wry sense of humour and it becomes apparent that she uses this as a coping mechanism.

Although her father is famous, the person Emma really looks up to is her grandfather Alberto, an astrophysicist. His Rossini Theorem is initially ridiculed, but it helps Emma understand the world around her. Maths and physics aren’t my forte which is why some of the scientific theories about the universe went over my mind. They are explained in layman’s terms though and Emma draws parallels with them to her life experiences. In fact, each chapter heading has a mathematical equation which corresponds to the chapter number. Again, I don’t know much about maths, but it’s a smart concept.

While this isn’t fast paced, it is descriptive and thought-provoking. Emma has great character development from a young girl to an adult. Her journey is poignant, especially during the third part of the book when she gains a new perspective on key events in her life. It’s a moving illustration of how we see things differently as we grow up. I think this book is about learning to come to terms with who you are and not allowing the past to define you.

Overall

An original and heartfelt coming-of-age story which will appeal to anyone interested in the mysteries of the universe.

[Marie’s Book Boutique · Rating 4 out of 5]

To read full review mariesbookboutique.wordpress.com/2019...


I really like this front cover because it's perfect link with the story inside. I like the dark blue/purple colour of the backing, the moon clouds and twinkling stars is at the top of the cover. The moon looks like it's shining bright. The title is coloured in white and looks like it's been hand written; which I think adds a certain personal touch to the cover. Charlie's name is at the bottom of the cover in a smaller font in white; which stands out beautifully with the backing making it eye-catching.
The Space Between Time the reader is introduced to Emma Maria Rossini a girl who from anyone looking in would think she has the perfect life. She has a loving mother and father is a famous actor. He is always away working leaving his wife and daughter behind while he is having the time of his life with god knows who. Emma's Italian grandfather is an astrophysicist and has just published his theory's!
But as Emma's father becomes more famous he up's and move's his family from their Edinburgh flat and moves them to a massive house in North Berwick. But with him not being around very much plays a detrimental part in his wife's and daughters life. Emma's mother struggles with the lime light of her husband and would much rather be in the back ground. Her love for her daughter is obvious but Emma start's to notice her mother getting increasingly paranoid about her husband and becomes lonely.
Emma turns to her grand father's book for answers to the universe and life. But when she makes a shocking discovery about her mother which pivots her life, leading her to change her name and invent a new her so she wasn't associated to her father. What was the shocking discovery about her mother? Why did she change her name and re-invent herself? What was it that changes the cause of time for Emma? What happens to her father and mother's marriage? Will her grandfathers theory's be a metaphor for life?
The Space Between Time is an intriguing read told from Emma's point of view as a little girl turning into a woman. I found it to be quit and emotional read because of what Emma went through which confused her and was detrimental to the cores of her life. As a little girl she did make me laugh a few time's with her perception of things going on around her and what is being said. I read the book relatively quickly and my heart went out to her immediately. I have to say I did prefer his last book but I still adore Charlie's writing style and ability to tell and engaging story.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie Laidlaw has become one of my absolute favorite authors. His novels are always wonderfully mesmerizing and magical. As soon as the ability to read The Space Between Time was presented to me, I jumped on it. I knew this would be a 5 star read for me before I was three pages in.

I love the view points we get to read. We see Emma's point of view as a child, which is so interesting to read because children so often see the world differently than adults. Charlie Laidlaw's exploration into how tragedy is seen in the eyes of a child and how it forms them as they age is such a unique concept.

Charlie Laidlaw's ability to captivate his readers in a way I can't even describe is one of the main reasons I love his work so much. The Space Between Time is heavy at times, but as seems standard with this author, there is lightness and humor sprinkled through to give the reader a little mental break.

I can't rave enough about The Space Between Time. It's a book you're not going to want to miss, regardless of the genre you normally read in. Pick this one up and experience what I can only describe as magic. This is definitely on my favorites of 2019, and it is likely making my top 5 this year.

*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with R&R Book Tours. All opinions are my own.*

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the author contacted me, I was intrigued by the title of his book. ‘The space betwee time’ … What was this about? There is after all no space between time.

Why is this review part of a blog tour then when I was contacted directly? Well, I did the cover reveal for Shannon and she asked me if I wanted to post my review as part of the tour as well. I hope I made two people happy now :).

The story is a very emotional one. I know men can be emotional but the way the author described the feelings of a young woman were wonderful. It was as if he lived inside the head of a girl while writing the book. Very moving!

Money equals happiness? No, not really. It can certainly help you achieve your goals but there are other things that are a lot more important. No matter how many gifts you bring, showing love is what counts.

It’s not the role of a child to be responsible for a parent. Of course you do things to help them or to make them smile, but you can’t change some people’s behaviour. And when the world comes tumbling down, guilt takes over and that feeling takes to you an awful place.

A beautiful story! 4 stars.

Thank you, Charlie Laidlaw and R&R Book Tours.

https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Charlie Laidlaw’s book, The Space Between Time, completely mesmerising and really very good.

When I was first given the opportunity to read this novel of contemporary fiction/dark comedy, it was the front cover that swayed me to be honest, as I was in two minds. But I must not take anything away from this wonderful story. Charlie Laidlaw had me totally captivated as issues surrounding suicide, depression and anxiety were all brought to the fore.

Although this was at times, quite a heavy and challenging read, there was also a lightness about it, along with plenty of humour, to lighten the mood.

I loved reading all about Emma, the main protagonist, and her journey which was special because of its poignancy.

I highly recommend this heartbreaking and very unique novel and I intend to read more from this newly discovered author, Charlie Laidlaw.

[Suzanne (The Bookish Libra)]

DNF at 7%. I've been trying to read this book all day but unfortunately just can't get into it.

[David Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm grateful to the publisher for a free advance copy of this book.

The Space Between Time is a vivid and poignant coming-of-age story set in Edinburgh and the nearby seaside town of North Berwick, with a similar milieu to parts of Laidlaw's previous book, The Things We Learn When We're Dead (which I reviewed here).

Unlike Things We Learn, which was firmly science fictional, Space Between Time remains - I was going to say "Earthbound", but perhaps "realist" might be more accurate, because this book does have its mind in the heavens. Emma Maria Rossini is recounting her lifestory, which is dominated by two men: her father Paul and her grandfather Alberto. The former is an A-list Hollywood actor, the latter a professor of theoretical physics who's proposed a world-shaking theory concerning dark matter, dark energy and higher dimensions. Laidlaw uses Emma's relationship with her grandfather and her understanding of his theory to counterpoint the story, heading each chapter with a mathematical expression. Alberto's theory acts as a kind of extended metaphor, describing a world where what may be most important is what's missing, what's invisible. For Emma, this is her father, whose arrivals and departures from the family's middle class Edinburgh flat (and later, plush North Berwick mansion) rather resembles an erratic planetary body.

Emma admits towards the end of the story that she's an unreliable narrator. Not only does she reserve the right to edit her life for interest or to make it more fun, but she is, for much of this book, retelling events that took place when she was much younger. We can't therefore be sure whether what she's describing - her reactions, feelings and understanding - is what she experienced at the time, or whether it's informed by later, more adult knowledge. And in particular, by the way things turned out - this is a story of loss and grief, if unspoken grief, and of coming to terms with a world that, resolutely, isn't fair. That's illustrated by the young Emma's perceptions of her parents' marriage, or her relationship with her mother, Cat, who is beautiful but, increasingly, troubled by her husband's absences.

To get the most from this book you will have to be patient with the story moving backwards and forwards a lot. Emma's approach (as written by Laidlaw) is more thematic than sequential, moving from one related thought to another, sometimes nesting them several deep and explaining the various bits of her life to which they're relevant. I don't mean that to sound offputting - it's done very cleverly, so much so that often I didn't realise what a tour we'd been on till the narrative landed back in the moment. It does, though, make the book difficult to précis and I'm going to exercise a reviewer's privilege and not try to do that any more than i already have.

I have to say I loved this book. Emma herself is well realised, with a command of the moment and a vein of dark humour that remains with (almost) however bad things get, in fact so much so that - I came to realise - it was carefully masking just how serious some situations were, so that when a crisis hits it often seems unheralded - although the signs are always there. Again there is the question here of a conscious rewriting, an editing, of Emma's story by her later self. The divide means that in this book, time isn't (really) real and different events coexist.

The book also has a real dash of humour - for example in Emma's relationship with Knox the cat, who she imagines to be a Presbyterian animal, sternly disapproving of the antics of her and her student flatmates, or in her observations of institutions or, even amidst the tension, or her parents' self-absorption.

There is a real sense here of the countryside and coastline around North Berwick, the sea which Emma feels she is a part of and a deft touch for the social geography of Edinburgh (I used to live there, I recognise the distinctions Laidlaw draws, even down to the differences between one side or another of the same street).

Above all, though, this is a story with a real sense of heart and compassion. It's a story about things said and especially, unsaid and about how it can be too late to set things right - but also, how that concept of linear time carrying the past away is wrong and it is never too late. We can't alter the past but we can, perhaps, edit how it affects the present.

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Space Between Time is a story divided into three parts, written from Emma Rossini's perspective. Each section is thoroughly engaging and as the novel progressed, I was intrigued by this complicated young woman. Written as a memoir, it's absolutely fascinating to compare the way she initially describes events and the truth in the latter part of the novel when she is finally ready to face up to her past.

The first section of the novel mostly follows Emma's adolescence and although it's a time of change for most people, she definitely has more to come to terms with beyond the usual teenage angst. Her father, Paul Ross is an actor and at the start of the book, the family live in a 'semi-posh' flat in Edinburgh. He is very much a star on the rise and enjoys the increasing attention from the public but Emma's mother, Cat hates the limelight. She is a beautiful woman but clearly socially awkward and struggles with her husband's decision to move to North Berwick. She felt safer in Edinburgh where she could remain anonymous but in a small town where everybody knows everybody, she is suddenly a big fish in a small pond and it doesn't suit her. The young Emma obviously adores her mother and there is an affectionate warmth to the way she describes her flaws. She has a propensity for swearing - especially at or about her husband which results in some amusing moments where the young Emma also utilises some very colourful language. As Paul Ross becomes a bona fide celebrity, it becomes increasingly obvious that despite Emma's witty, self-deprecating descriptions of events, both she and her mother are deeply affected by his long absences and questionable priorities. Cat is frequently suspicious of his relationships with his co-stars and in her emotionally vulnerable state, her daughter is left feeling that she has a responsibility to protect her mum.

There is a constant sense throughout the book that she doesn't really understand her father and this is mirrored in the relationship between Paul and his own father, a brilliant Italian astrophysicist. His real name is actually Paulo Rossi but he has anglicized it to appeal to a wider audience but in doing so has hurt his father who believes his son is ashamed of his family name. Emma adores her Gramps whose theory on the universe, the Rossini Theorem was originally much much derided but latterly has been discovered to potentially hold the key to some important scientific breakthroughs. Despite not sharing his mathematical abilities, Emma includes several discussions about various theories on topics such as quantum physics, dark matter and relativity but they never become too complicated for the layperson to understand and gradually it becomes evident why she is so reliant on her Gramps' theories as she attempts to make sense of her own life.

In the second part of the book, she has left home and found a job working as a journalist. As is often the case with the offspring of celebrities, she is keen to succeed on her own terms but her desire to separate herself from her father goes far beyond wanting to avoid accusations of nepotism. It would appear that she blames him for the tragic death of her mother and their estrangement is her way of punishing him. She still continues to describe her mishaps with a wry sense of humour; from her obsession with the toilet habits of her colleagues to her accidental arrest at a protest to the over-the-top flat renovations which end up surprising her (particularly when she finds a life-sized Dalek in one of the themed rooms) but gradually it becomes poignantly obvious to the reader that this is a young woman who is struggling with her mental health.

During the third section of The Space Between Time, Emma is challenged to write down her experiences as she finds it difficult to talk about them with her therapist. As she finally begins to face up to her own guilt and reconsiders what she thought she knew about her parents, the truth about what really happened in the past is revealed to not necessarily be quite as she documented them. She needs to be able to reconcile herself with the person she was back then and to forgive herself and her parents for the mistakes they all made. The contrast between her youthful recollections and the full reality is heartbreaking at times, especially when I realised how much she has relied on her sense of humour to allow her to falsely believe she was able to cope.

Emma is a wonderful protagonist, I loved her from the very start and through all her difficulties and the moments where it is evident that she is an unreliable narrator, I wanted her to find the peace and solace she so desperately needs. The secondary characters, however, also deserve a mention; her parents' failings may have been laid bare here but they are given their redemptive moments too; her grandparents are delightful and I adored Patsy who is absolutely the best friend everybody needs. I praised the moving, funny and thoughtful writing in Charlie Laidlaw's previous book, The Things We Learn When We're Dead and the same is true here but The Space Between Time, with its convincing, emotional and insightful portrayal of mental health is even better. A touching and honest look at families and the complex emotions of love, guilt and forgiveness, the themes explored will resonate with anybody who has ever had to endure loss. I highly recommended this beautifully written book.

[Kaisha (The Writing Garnet) · Rating 4 out of 5]

All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com

This will no doubt be a tough review for me to write, for several reasons. Firstly, my opinion on the storyline changed multiple times throughout, with me unsure at first as to whether it was 'for me'. Secondly, the concept of this book is incredibly intricate, and I'm not too sure if I can do the book justice with my thoughts. And lastly, 'The Space Between Time' ended up moving me in a way I don't think even I, Little Miss Chatterbox, could explain.

So yes, I've admitted that I didn't exactly 'get on' with the book at first, and I think that was because I felt that the story was a bit mismatched and kept jumping to different times and different events like a little grasshopper. I found it a little difficult to put all of the puzzle pieces in order, however once I stopped reading the novel like I read every other novel, things began to make sense. Charlie Laidlaw's book needs to be read like the unique book that it is. It cannot be compared to any other. It cannot be read knowing the path the storyline might take. It cannot be rushed, nor can it be read with a one track mind. Honestly, I had to clear my thoughts as best as I could, take a deep breath and read this book as though I was looking at the bigger picture in life. Once I did that, well, my heart was taken on its own little journey.

What I loved about 'The Space Between Time' was how it was set in a place not far from me, one where I have actually lived; North Berwick! When the author was describing the seaside town, or taking one of his characters past The Scottish Seabird Centre, I could envision the route very clearly and it meant that I was able to feel more in tune with the setting as I had actually stepped foot there. I also got excited when the author mentioned Aberlady and Drem train station! Daft I know, but still. It's the little things, eh?

Emma has a life most other children could only dream of, however what may look like a picture perfect life to the outside world, is actually completely different for someone actually living it. Yes, she may be the daughter of a famous actor. Yes, she may have a huge house, staff, and the ability to have everything she could ever want, yet what she wants the most, money simply cannot buy.

There is so much to this storyline than I had originally thought, and the fact that it centred around space, the universe, and everything else in between, was such an interesting (and often confusing) concept. Heck, even the thought of time itself made me stop and think. The topic of mental health is evident throughout, and I thought the author dealt with that topic, as well as the other hard-hitting subjects in the book, beautifully and sensitively. I could feel the emotion radiating from Emma's character. I felt the panic oozing from her mother's personality. I felt the hurt of a young woman in immense turmoil, deep within my soul in the latter portion of the book. Emma may have had the option to fill her life with beautiful things, multiple holidays abroad and so forth, yet when someone has lost their way, no amount of money or materialistic things would put them back on the correct path.

The thought of 'time' really got under my skin and it got me thinking. Whenever I go out somewhere, I am always aware of time. The time we need to get our train or bus home. Lunch time. Ensuring the dog is fed at his correct time. Every step is governed by it and, thanks to 'The Space Between Time', I realised that I never go out anywhere and simply.....be. I don't saunter down the street being in the moment. I don't think 'oh we will eat when we eat, no rush'. And you know what? I don't like it! Yes, routine and plans are important, but I had no idea just how much I was taking 'time' for granted until now.

'The Space Between Time' is such an eye-opening, highly charged read which takes the reader on a 'one step at time' type journey through life and loss, turmoil and joy, happiness and sadness. Even though the book covers a few heartbreaking topics, it still is such an uplifting and moving read. I surprised myself by how much I ended up loving 'The Space Between Time' - I really will not be forgetting this book anytime soon.

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC of this book with thanks to the author, Accent Press and Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

Having read The Things We Learn When We’re Dead by the same author, I was expecting this book to be similarly whimsical, but it is actually completely different and yet still utterly compelling.

The story is narrated by Emma Maria Rossini, as she talks us through her childhood beginning with a memorable cinema incident and gradually working her way to the ‘present day’ of her adulthood.

From the very start the reader is aware that Emma’s story may be open to different interpretations as there is often dissonance between her statements and the reader’s perceptions of what she says. For example, she explains how she loves and adores her mother, whilst simultaneously explaining how utterly ‘dim’ and neurotic she perceives her to be. It is clear that there is a lot of emotion going on underneath this blithe narrative of a semi-charmed childhood.

The three most important figures of Emma’s childhood are clearly her mother, Cat/Caitlin (beautiful, jealous, anxious); her father, Paul Ross (famous actor and heartthrob, absent a lot) and her paternal grandfather, Alberto Rossini (eminent but also ridiculed astrophysicist, mathematician and philosopher). These three adults all provide very different childhood experiences of love, fame, knowledge, money, security and trauma (I’ll leave it to you to read and find out which is which!) which go on to affect Emma profoundly into her adult life.

With the importance of Alberto’s ‘theory of everything’ and his applied calculations to Emma and her experiences, it is a clever touch to have each chapter number represented by the appropriate formula. Little snippets of astrophysics and mathematics are interlaced and embedded throughout the text to, widening the breadth of the story from one individual’s lived experience to a more universal perspective.

This is a deeply intimate, witty, and (at-times) upsetting story of an unusual upbringing and the unforeseen impact our choices can have on the lives of those around us. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys stories of family, love, loss and the struggle to achieve well-adjusted adulthood despite them.



I am beginning to feel my eyelids close. This is absolutely the worst film I have ever seen. I am also beginning to wish we had come to see a cartoon, even with improbable talking animals.
Then the scene changes. The man is walking into a hotel. He picks up his key at reception and takes the lift to the fifth floor – I see which button he presses. He opens the door t his bedroom, throws his key onto the bed, opens a small cupboard at floor level, and takes out a very small bottle. He opens the bottle and pours the liquid into a glass. He takes the glass to his large bedroom window, with a lovely view of the Eiffel Tower. I therefore know that he’s still in Paris.
There is a knock at the door and the man turns, crosses the room, and opens the door.
I gasp. ‘It’s Daddy!’

– Charlie Laidlaw, The Space Between Time

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A curious book depicting a life, this is a novel which looks at the interconnectedness between people against a background of much bigger forces. While this is essentially the story of a girl’s relationship with her family, in the background is her grandfather’s theorem of the nature of the universe, and the attractions of planets for each other. Not that there is much science in this novel, as the main character admits that she struggles to understand the mathematics of the science, but the essential humour of the situation is still present. These are big characters in deceptive settings, the bleakness of North Berwick, the warmth of an Italian extended family, the new life that must take place aware. With subtle phrases and hints that define the narrative, this is a novel that keeps the reader on their toes throughout; the author is so comfortable with the plot and characters that he can afford to release the story gradually. This is a funny yet touching book, thoughtful as the main character reacts and sometimes acts within her memorable family. Her asides and realisations of the implications of the actions of others are so telling. There are running jokes, as everyone looks for a non existent swimming pool and casual reference is made to celebrities, especially actors. I was pleased to be able to read and review this book so soon after publication.

The book opens with an insight into the character of Emma’s mother, beautiful but troubled, self contradicting and in need of reassurance. Even as a young child Emma is aware that her mother needs her; as she drives the Bentley she calls it a battleship which attracts attention and is difficult to park. The details are all there of a trip to the cinema as Emma states that she hates cartoons, but bounces in her seat when taken to a film that she struggles to understand, even if she can place the action in Paris. When Emma’s father Paul comes onto the screen, he is seemingly killed, and Emma is loudly distraught. So it emerges that he is and actor on an upwards trajectory, who seems to love her and her mother, yet spends a lot of time away in London and elsewhere. Emma details her closeness to her mother as an only child, and her deep affection for her Italian Grandfather, a professor of Physics who has produced a book on the secrets of the universe, including probability, and it is these theories which luck in the background of the novel, as the improbable happens and the expected occurs. Emma feels compelled to move on and change her life after a tragic event , but not without her loving descriptions of the flutterings of first love. Major life events and small details both abound throughout this book, grounding a book which also casually mentions Brad Pitt, Judi Dench and others, while acknowledging that there is plenty of money available to her.

This is an enjoyable and intelligent book, which has a strong plot and fascinating characters. Emma maintains her constant commentary of her thoughts, her perceptions and noticing of details. I found the way that facts are dropped in, ideas and images carefully applied and the story is told is so clever. I recommend this book as a contemporary read of great interest and significance, and containing a memorable character in Emma.

[Beth (bibliobeth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you so much to Anne Cater for inviting me to take part in this blog tour and Accent Press for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of The Space Between Time in exchange for an honest review. I very much enjoyed reading Charlie's previous novel, The Things We Learn When We're Dead and jumped at the chance to read something else by him. I have a personal interest in the settings of Charlie's books, being a Scottish lass myself and so each foray into his writing becomes almost like a nostalgic experience, taking me back to my own adolescence and childhood. The author also has a real talent and intuition for writing believable female characters and for myself as a reader, I have great admiration for any author who makes their female leads authentic and refreshingly non-stereotypical.

In similarity to his previous novel, the author chooses to focus on a female protagonist, Emma Rossini. From the very beginning, we delve into her interesting upbringing with a famous Hollywood actor for her father and a (celebrated in certain circles) Italian astrophysicist for a grandfather - with his own infamous theorem and book in addition to his highly intelligent and enquiring mind. We follow Emma from a young girl as she sees her father for the first time in film at the local cinema, to her relationship with both her parents, the effect on her life when tragedy strikes and how the fractured moments of her past affect the decisions she makes in her present and potentially, her future.

Aside from our female lead Emma, I think one of my favourite things about The Space Between Time was the perceptive way in which Charlie Laidlaw explored the intricacies of relationships. It evidenced the cold, hard fact that no family or friendship is perfect and we all have our little quirks and foibles that we must muddle through to become a well-rounded person in our adult life. I enjoyed that it didn't shy away from the darker side of life - it's challenging, it's unpredictable and it's vital that we all have some kind of support network around us, whether that's family or friends so that we can make it out the other side.

The author presents the murkier depths of Emma's coming of age beautifully, with sensitivity and a light-hearted touch of humour that never feels forced or unnecessary. I thought it portrayed some difficult subjects in a sensible, thoughtful way that certainly had me thinking about the characters and their situations long after I had finished the final page. Furthermore (and very strangely), for someone who had to give up Physics at Standard Grade level (GCSE in England), I really connected with the more mathematical parts of the novel where black holes and the secrets of the universe are discussed. Anyone who knows me well might have their eyes popping out of their head right now as Maths and I do NOT get on. Somehow in this book, it worked for me and I found the ideas presented incredibly interesting and insightful.

The Space Between Time is a fascinating contemporary novel for anyone interested in family dynamics, the universe and female protagonists you can't help but root for.

For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of The Space Between Time in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Space Between Time is a beautiful and heartbreaking novel about love, loss, and the space that forms between people. It's emotionally powerful and compelling. It follows Emma Maria Rossini on her journey through life, and it uses math to help broach some of the more difficult subjects of her life.
The Space Between Time is both beautiful and heavy. It's one of those novels that will hit you in the gut, emotionally speaking. For that reason I feel like as powerful as it is, you have to be in the right moment to read it. For example, I can honestly tell you that this novel broke me. I mean that in a good way, truly. But it did make me cry at several different points. For me a lot of this novel hit very close to home (well, not the famous family member part, but you know what I'm saying), and that just added to the impact.


Warnings: This novel, as I briefly touched upon already, has a lot of heavy moments within. There are examples of self-harm (two somewhat graphic moments, in particular), suicide and suicide attempts, mental health issues, and many elements that can fracture a family as well. So take care when picking this one up.
The Space Between Time is a beautiful and compelling read. It's also heartbreaking at times, though all of the heartbreaks are ones we can expect to see in our lives. Perhaps that is what made this novel so painfully human – the fact that the pain was real, and it was believable.
While being the daughter of a famous actor may not be the most relatable part of Emma's story, almost every other element is, in one way or another. Her family isn't perfect, and she's dealt with her fair share of love and loss. She has her own ways of coping with it, and her ways of distancing herself from things she isn't ready to deal with. In that sense she felt very human to me.
The math elements in this novel, such as the chapter titles and references back to Emma's grandfather, helped ground the novel. It was unexpected, but it worked so well. It made this novel go from fascinating to one of a kind. It was a brilliant touch, through and through. And I'm not just saying that because I liked the way the chapters were titled!
I mentioned this above, but I truly believe that there is a right time and place to read The Space Between Time. To be honest, I'm not even sure if I read it at the right moment in my life. I think I did – I've been dealing with loss myself, so this novel tore open those wounds and soothed at the same time. It was an interesting feeling. I think I'm grateful for the experience, on the whole. I can't say that the same would happen for everyone though.
I loved The Space Between Time so much. It isn't the sort of novel I read every day, but I deeply enjoyed the break from the normal. And the emotional study made it well worth it. But seriously, get the tissues ready before you start this one!


For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Cheryl M-M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It reminded me of the work of Benjamin Constable – the way reality is speckled and fragmented and driven by the imagination, which results in singularly individual experiences and memories. No one memory is the same even when the event is experienced by multiple people simultaneously.

In this case it leaves the reader wondering what is fiction, what is fact or more importantly what is it that Emma wants to believe and perhaps wants others to believe. Towards the end of the book, as the truth of her situation becomes more apparent, the read flows into an introspective narrative. It completely flips the narrative of the first half of the book.

The reader then becomes aware that the story, up to that point, is told from the subjective point of a child. A child who perhaps wants to remember her life a certain way instead of remembering the reality of it. She romanticises the negative aspects or brushes them away as if they are annoyances. Daddy is never there because he is very busy, as opposed to he isn’t there because they aren’t a priority and he doesn’t care. Mommy gets annoyed and flustered sometimes, as opposed to Mommy is sad, depressed and suffers from anxiety.

It’s literary fiction, combined with a extraordinary thread of logic, mathematical theory, astronomy, physics and theorem, which flows throughout the story. I loved that aspect of the story, in fact the grandfather was my favourite character.

Laidlaw is the kind of writer you have to take the time to enjoy. This isn’t a quick fix or read. Every nuance of the story opens up a separate avenue to explore and examine, especially in the second half, because the reader has been given the rest of the information in the first half, ergo the second is the missing variable, which allows us to solve the equation.

It explores the emotional fragility of Emma the woman, due to the trauma she endured as a child. Laidlaw examines depression, anxiety and suicide from a the viewpoint of a spectator. Then as the spectator becomes the person who has to learn to cope with mental health issues. The result is a fascinating read.
*I received a courtesy copy *

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by this author. The first thing that attracted me to read it was the line of the blurb “There are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on Earth…” I love quotes like this that really get you thinking about life itself. Reading further on with the blurb and I just knew I was going to love this book, despite it not being my normal genre! Emma Marie Rossini is the main character, and this story maps Emma’s life beginning with her childhood. With her father becoming an aspiring actor and spending long periods of time away from home and her grandfather a radical astrophysicist, Emma’s childhood was far from normal. As she grows up and life changes for her, Emma’s story becomes more emotional and heart-breaking.

This book was not the light-hearted journey that I thought it was going to be. I loved Emma’s character though and really felt for her as her story progresses. She obviously has big issues with her father throughout her life and when she changes her name to Marie Rossini trying to retain her Italian heritage, something which her father tries to lose, it’s obvious that changing her name is not going to solve anything and what has happened in her past has big consequences not just in her life now but in her future.

Whilst it is quite a serious and dark book, it does have delightful moments of humour which are perfectly placed throughout the story. There are though topics which are difficult to read about, such as suicide and mental health issues, but these are all written so sensitively, just like the whole book is. The book as a whole was very well written, well researched and not at all as complicated as I thought it was going to be considering it covered subjects such as astrophysics! Although, I have to admit, I have only just found out that the equations at the start of each chapter represent the chapter number. Little quirky details like that really put the icing on the cake with regards to this book!

This is a heart-breaking, yet uplifting story showing the long lasting effects of what happens in childhood could map out your entire life….if you let it. A unique, quirky and hypnotising story which leaves you wanting more and thinking about your own life. Would definitely recommend.

[Michelle Ryles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Charlie Laidlaw...you have just blown me away! I read and enjoyed Charlie Laidlaw's The Things We Learn When We're Dead so I didn't hesitate when a chance came up to take part in the blog tour for his new novel, The Space Between Time. I expected a slightly quirky novel but I was completely unprepared for the emotional and thought-provoking journey I was about to embark with Emma Maria Rossini.

It's a difficult book to review without giving away any spoilers but it's fair to say that Emma doesn't have a conventional childhood; with her father spending more and more time away from home as his acting career takes off, she is pretty much being brought up in a single parent family. Paul's absence causes a huge strain on the family and Emma's mother is convinced that Paul is having an affair with every leading lady with whom he comes into contact. Nothing is hidden from Emma and like a sponge she soaks up all the damning evidence and the cracks begin to appear in her relationship with her father. As with any story, there are always two sides but it is many years later before Emma gets to see the full picture.

Like her father changed his name to Paul Ross to lose the Italian link, Emma in reverse dropped the 'Emma' and became Maria Rossini. I really felt her struggle as she tried to reinvent herself as a new person, but ultimately she is the same person underneath whatever she decides to call herself. As her mental health becomes increasingly unstable, she is encouraged to write a journal to help her find the root of her problems and finally make peace with who she is. I loved reading Emma's journey; it's poignant, witty, heartfelt and thought-provoking. Charlie Laidlaw has given Emma a beautiful voice and it really makes you think about what people hide behind their smiles.

The Space Between Time is as beautiful as it is tragic; as uplifting as it is heartbreaking and simply breathtaking in its uniqueness. A highly recommended read.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story which is hard to break away from. The author has created such well defined characters, that at times I found myself using a search engine just to be certain that they weren’t real people.
In a sense, they are real people. Charlie Laidlaw clearly feels for his creations. He understands them in the way a parent might understand their children, and his compassion towards them is evident. They are human, and through the words on the pages, their flaws and vulnerabilities come alive. Because he cares, I cared too. I wanted to follow the story of Emma, the child of the sea. In the mirror of her life, were reflected some of my own experiences. My emotions as I followed the story rose and fell, so engaged was I with the characters. Although Emma seems to have some of the privileges which others can only dream of, when the layers are stripped back, she is left exposed. As vulnerable to nurture and nature as anyone else. The chapters of her life come together to shape the adult she becomes. As her story progresses, so her dialogue matures from girl to woman. Throughout, her grandfather’s theorem draws together three generations of family in love, in loss, and in life.
If you enjoy a character led narrative, which will engage your imagination while challenging your emotions, I absolutely commend this book to you. It is certainly one which has settled in to stay with me, and is a book I look forward to reading again.
I received an electronic copy of this book in return for a review. All views are my own.

[Noelle Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Charlie’s writing since reviewing The Things We Learn When We’re Dead. Although Charlie’s books are not my usual type of read, his books make me think and envelop me in a world where I’m not sure what’s going to happen. The Space Between Time is easy to read, but surprisingly twisty.

Emma’s grandfather is a physicist and I love the way his “theories” coincide with the different chapters and occurrences in Emma’s life. Emma is an unusual character and relationships in her life are equally unusual. We Learn that Emma’s father is a budding actor who loves the spotlight, while her mother is a recluse. These relationships impact Emma for her whole life, as we see her journey from childhood to adulthood.

Parts of this book are quite sad and Charlie is not afraid of handling dark subjects, albeit with a light touch. Though not fantastical like The Things We Learn When We’re Dead, The Space Between Time is slightly magical, maybe down to Emma’s take on life.

An absorbing, surprising read that draws the reader completely into its world and out of ordinary life.

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Space Between Time is the second book I've read by author Charlie Laidlaw and what I've learned is that he writes unique, endearing stories that are quite ingenious but ultimately very relatable.
What I liked about this story was that Emma Maria Rossini, even though she was the daughter of a famous film star, had a beautiful adoring mother, her life was just like anyone else's. She suffered the same losses when her father went away to work, when he couldn't be there for milestone events. Her mother too suffered, she thought in silence but Emma noticed.
Through Emma's childhood when her father was on the cusp of stardom Emma was at her happiest. Once stardom encroached on their lives their home life changed and relationships between all three of them: daughter, mother, father, husband and wife took on different versions of their former self.
Tragedy was sadly soon to strike Emma's life and from that moment on her spell in her charmed life was broken and Emma was to struggle immensely. However, when someone from Emma's past appears at another sad moment in her life it felt like another turning point for Emma. Emma had to reach rock bottom before she could learn about the scars she's accrued along the journey of life.
The Space Between Time is such a compelling read that was quirky with a humbling honesty and poignancy to it. I found Emma to be a very endearing character and I championed her throughout the story. The concept around the story of our lives being connected, sometimes by the minutest of links and moments, was quite profound. Another excellent, original read from Charlie Laidlaw.