Space Between the Stars: My Journey to an Open Heart

by Deborah Santana

Deborah Santana is best known for her marriage to music icon Carlos Santana–a thirty-year bond that endures to this day. But as a girl growing up in San Francisco in the 1960s, daughter of a white mother and a black father–the legendary blues guitarist Saunders King–her life was charged with its own drama long before she married.

In this beautiful, haunting memoir, Deborah Santana shares for the first time her early experiences with racial intolerance, her romantic involvement with musician Sly Stone and the suffering she endured in that relationship, and her adventures in the freewheeling 1960s. Yet it is her spiritual awakening that is the core of this story. The civil rights movement was the foundation of her growth, the Woodstock era the backdrop of her love with Carlos. The couple was drawn indelibly together by a search for truth and spirituality, but while yearning to be filled with God’s light, they were pulled dangerously toward a manipulative cult. They eventually disengage themselves from the guru and reclaim control of their lives, putting their love for each other before the cult’s increasingly strenuous demands.

Space Between the Stars is a moving account of self-discovery, rendered in raw, beautiful prose, by a woman whose heart has remained pure even in times of despair. As Deborah Santana talks frankly about her lifelong fight against racial injustice and her deep-seated loyalty to her family, ultimately it is the struggle to remain a spiritual and artistic force in her own right, in the shadow of one of the world’s most revered musicians, that shines through as her most indomitable pursuit.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Spirituality, Music

352 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Denise Kruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this autobiography. Deborah Santana led the kind of young adult life the rest of us girls used to just dream about. Imagine simply walking home from school when a famous rock star pulls alongside you in his fancy car and appears to be completely enamored with you! Yep, that happened but that "privilege" came with a lot of crazy. It was fascinating to read about her early life and her relationships with Sly Stone and Carlos Santana. She tells it well.

[Karah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's sad to read this memoir knowing that her marriage with Carlos' didn't last much longer after the book was published. The attempt to accept his infidelity was implicitly stated in the memoir. Success and still enduring decades of cheating proved intolerable for Deborah. I hope she's found lasting joy and peace.

A memoir with sweet honesty.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deborah Santana is a very good writer. She's a wordsmith that paints a vivid picture with her words.
I admire Deborah's single mindedness in trying to make her relationships work. The experiences of her life have culminated in a world view that is compassionate and a spirituality that is unconventional and rational. I give her credit for persevering in her marriage to Carlos Santana when other women would probably have given up. Though written 10 years ago, the memoir is timeless.

[konami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed Deborah Santana's recounting of her earlier years and marriage to Carlos. Full of sentiment and self reflection on choices she made while navigating her prior relationships and marriage.

[MaryJo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting autobiography of Deborah Santana, her biracial heritage, her relationship with Sly Stone and marriage and life with Carlos Santana. Well written account of her search for her place in the world.

[Kelli Stapleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender hearted, sweetness and warmth in a true love story. I wept.

[counter-hegemonicon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful memoir

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

The autobiography of a rockstar’s (now ex) wife? Not as bad as you’d think it would be.

[SuZanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not help reflecting on my own twelve years with a blues-rock-junk musician as I read Deborah's memoir, which includes more than thirty years of marriage to guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana. Hers is a spiritual journey into self discovery, one that can inspire many people, but especially women. I appreciate that she avoided the "gossipy" tabloid news of her relationships with first Sly Stone and then Carlos.

Lucky me, I rescued this fine little book on sale for $6.95 at Auntie's Bookstore in Spokane, Washington, as it sat on the shelves gathering dust for a while. I saw Carlos Santana and his band live in Guadalajara, Mexico this past spring, an experience I've yearned for for many years, and was amazed by his professionalism and always-evolving music. So I guess I should not feel sad that Deborah and Carlos are no longer together, as life is change and they both seem busier than ever creating new things and continuing to help less fortunate people in the world. What good souls they are.

[Bliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deborah Santana opened her soul in this book. She talked about her heritage, her life, her spirit.

This was a fast read for me and I enjoyed every word.

Although she is my mom's age, I felt like I was reading about my sister.

I'm very thankful to her for sharing this book with the world and wish her much love, peace, and joy as she continues her Journey.

[Karen Ashmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting autobiography from Deborah Santana that includes the craziness of her relationship with Sly Stone, her false path with the guru Sri Chinmoy, and her marriage to Carlos Santana which included romantic and spiritual bonds, as well as parenting three children. It all sounded wonderful until I googled her and discovered she and Carlos divorced several years ago.

[Tanya Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this slowly because I wanted to pick up all the many beautiful impressions. Such an exquisite, real story that follows Deborah through her involvement with two of the world's most famous musicians. I love the title "Space Between the Stars," which she explains as that dark space between the stars being essential for stars to shine. I love her honesty, her devotedness, her heart.

[Debbie Nunez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this memoir. I was able to identify and relate to much of what Deborah Santana experienced growing up in the 1960's and 1970's. Her very loving family and her close relationship with her sister. She had a long relationship with Sly Stone and then with Carlos Santana, whom she married and had three children with. She is a woman of depth, wisdom and grace.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deborah Santana's autobiography was really interesting. We hear so much about certain powerful men, and rarely learn the stories of the equally powerful women who are part of their lives. Ms. Santana tells a good story, and owns up to the difficult times and weaknesses in her life.

[Carla JFCL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Reading about her life was so interesting, especially since I lived in the San Francisco area at the time many of the events she talks about were happening. I admire her honesty in describe some of the struggles she's had in her life and in her marriage. Very enjoyable book.

[Talia Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written memoir, definitely worth reading.

[Debbie Hoskins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to thinking about top 100 characters. This is a biography, but I really liked Deborah's voice and writing style. Plus she's had a very interesting life.

[Ann Waring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good story, told in an interesting and passionate voice. I admire this writer, I think her writing is heartwarming and informative.

[munkchip]

I read this book as a teenager. I had never heard of Deborah Santana, but she dealt with such heavy topics as cults and back-alley abortions with such honest and human emotion that I didn’t feel I really missed anything from not having the background knowledge usually presumed to be held by readers of celebrity biographies.