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The Space Between

Megan Grehan author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Little Island

Published:30th Mar '17

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The Space Between cover

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A story of love and support in the face of mental illness, told through beautiful and modern verse.It's New Year's Eve, and Beth plans to spend a whole year alone, in her snug, safe house. But she has reckoned without floppy-eared, tail-wagging Mouse, who comes nosing to her window. Followed shortly by his owner, Alice. As Beth's year of solitude rolls out, Alice gently steals her way first into Beth's house and later into her heart. And by the time New Year's Eve comes round again - who knows?A tender and delicate love story in verse, The Space Between is a tale of how warmth, support and friendship can overcome mental anguish.

A sensitive exploration of mental illness and new love between two young women. Beautifully written, this is a story that captures and holds the reader from start to finish … Language is rich and accessible and the storytelling is exquisitely crafted … A superb debut novel from an author who is definitely one to watch out for.

* School Library Association Magazine *

Grehan is a poet, a romantic and at the same time a realist. She’s a talented writer and, above all, she’s a strong Irish voice crafting beautiful, important stories about mental illness and the lives of LGBT people.This stunning debut is sure to make waves upon its release and I for one can’t wait to read more of her work.

* The Arcade *

The style of the writing sits perfectly with the state of Beth’s mind, and the ebb and flow of the text, the repetitions, and even the layout of the words on the page all combined to make it a beautiful reading experience… it gave me such an immediately intimate feeling, almost like I was snooping on Beth’s personal life, that I found that I was caught up in the book straight away.

* The Bookbag *

The Space Between is extraordinary. Grehan’s work asks us to consider not only the space between words, but also the spaces between people. Grehan’s turn of phrase makes Beth’s voice believable and easy to relate to; it’s also a superb choice for reluctant readers. It is a story of discovering hope in others, fighting fears and growing to challenge them.

* Inis Magazine *

A tale of redemption through love; a beguiling read for anyone who suffers depressive illness, or who wants to understand it better.

-- Sue Leonard * The Irish Examiner *

It’s a sensitively told and lovely story, mostly light but touching on some heavy topics. The format allows the reader complete intimacy with Beth’s thoughts, which are often difficult to read, but if her anxiety is intense then so, too, is the gentle blossoming of her love for Alice, for Mouse, and for the potential of the world outside her front door. Quirky, sweet, and beautiful.

* Sarah Likes Books Blog *

Pleasantly claustrophobic and deeply atmospheric, this bowled me over.

* Gay Community Ne

  • Short-listed for Children's Books Ireland Awards 2018
  • Short-listed for Great Reads Award 2017

ISBN: 9781910411599

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

180 pages