The Space Between Things

by Charlie Hill

Arch meets Verity at a party to celebrate the resignation of Margaret Thatcher. He takes her to the house he shares in the raffish Birmingham suburb of Moseley. But this isn’t the usual sort of love story. Arch already has a girlfriend, and the next time he sees “Vee” she’s on the arm of somebody else. Over the next few years Arch continues to pursue the woman of his dreams, against a marvellously observed backdrop of recent history. This accomplished first novel is also a celebration of Moseley bohemian, broad-minded and more than slightly seedy. Kate Saunders, The Times.

Rich in wry social commentary, but also funny and linguistically dexterous, the novel is sensitive to the genuine aspirations of its characters yet unsparing in exposing their delusions… this is an inventive work that shows much promise. Mary Fitzgerald, The Observer

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2010

Reviews

[Stephanie Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Space Between Things by Charlie Hill is as much a glimpse of a time and place as it is a snapshot of a character. During a drastic change in the English political system in the early 90s, a group of radical, non-conformist 20-somethings based in Moseley, a suburb of Birmingham, England, search for a way to make their mark. From big plans to big parties, this motley crew of activists becomes increasingly angered by the actions of the new government who tries a variety of tactics to rope in these renegades. In this world of defiance, drugs and dancing, boy meets girl and everything seems to make sense, at least for a bit.

Charlie Hill has written a unique story about an obscure group of young people at a momentous time in the U.K.'s political history. (It's a view that likely isn't available anywhere else unless you happen to have squated with similar characters in an abandoned building in Moseley in the early 90s.) In the midst of giving readers this incredible account of a snapshot in time, Hill has also written a love story complete with "warm and fuzzies", awkward exchanges and the inevitable decline. And his protagonist, Arch, embarks on a bit of soul searching during the two plus years the book spans and starts to chip away at the group's facade.

Overall, this is a very satisfying read. I felt very much a part of this small place during a big time in history. I sympathized with Arch throughout the story, both in his relationships with his group of friends and with his love interest, Vee. The characters consist of a bizarre cast of idealists, hippies, drug dealers, New Age "travellers" and others that may be impossible to categorize. For someone completely unfamiliar with this world, it was hard to understand the jargon, but that actually added to the intrigue; I felt like I was getting to spy on people that I'd never get a chance to know. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to see a glimpse of a very different side of the U.K.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thatcher has just gone and Arch goes out to party with his Moseley mates. There he meets the poetic Vee who he ends up spending the night with. Arch is used to getting by between dole cheques and smoking skunk, whereas for Vee life is more than this.

Then Vee disappears and over the next year, Arch only has the occasional postcard from Bosnia, though she leaves a lasting impression on him as he rises her to her challenge to throw himself into the world and its possibilities. He gets involved with the techno festival scene and its vibrant underculture of doing your own thing, coming together, being creative, playing music and reclaiming the common land for travelling, partying and living.

What follows are parties in disused properties and landmark road protests and other demonstrations including Twyford Down and anti-Criminal Justice Bill marches which I too was involved with, if very peripherally. Then Vee returns and becomes involved in the direct action and gets deep and meaningful with Arch. But what does she really make of the change in Arch? And what of her work in Bosnia? Why is she so enigmatic?

The writing is rich with the slang and expressions of the time many of which have filtered into everyday parlance: chill out, keep it fluffy, ambient music etc.

This is a vitally important and well-written book with plenty of wit, and just as relevant now with sinister developments in government, oppression of opposition, and suppression of news coverage or misrepresentation of news on a far wider scale. They thought they were changing the world, but the sinister grey men are back in power with knobs on.

[Sian Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a few years back with the book club I was in then. Not my usual choice for reading but found I really enjoyed it. It seemed real if that makes sense, a love story that emphasises on the politics and attitudes of the early '90s'. Arch comes across as an intelligent sensitive soul who is easily led into the protests and festivals at that time. Vee has more depth to her, she doesn't follow the crowds but respects everyone's beliefs and opinions. Her humanitarianism and willingness to go out to War torn Serbia shows her strength in character. I think she gave Arch a meaning to life, she was a figure of righteousness.
Page 110 -'You just love the idea of filling that space of yours with something you can call profound'