The Space Between

by Rachel Billington

Alice Lightfoot is far too young to be a widow and a grandmother. Now, nearly 3 years after her husband's death, the world suddenly begins turning at a disconcertingly faster pace. Over the course of four very disturbing weeks, Alice finds herself dashing hurriedly from one adventure to another, and begins to ask herself whether this is how life is to be now she's on her own. There doesn't seem to be space to decide what Alice wants for herself—does she want a man around, or would independence give her the full life she craves? Alice is a woman at a turning-point, coming out from the protection of a long marriage into the hurly-burly of the wider world. She has far-reaching choices to make and the seriously unexpected to face.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Rachel Billington has written twenty one novels and eleven books for children. She is also a journalist, feature writer and reviewer. She is a regular contributor and Associate Editor of Inside Time, the national newspaper for prisoners and a Vice-President of English PEN. In 2012 she was awarded an OBE for Services to Literature.

Reviews

[Julie Schooler · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book in a community book swap place and the blurb grabbed me so I decided to read this on a short holiday recently. It kept my interest but it simply wasn't a satisfying read. The main character seemed oblivious to obvious things going around her, situations were convoluted, lots of conflict could have easily been sorted with a brief conversation, and ultimately not all of my questions were answered. This is how to NOT write a book - unlikeable characters, loose plot and a bad ending. You can skip this one.

[LindyLouMac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Escapism and readable but did not leave a great impression on me.
The heroine of this love story with the touch of a thriller has way too many complications in her life for it to be totally realistic, which is exactly why I label it escapism. So much happens to Alice in a relatively short time that when the end arrived it was actually a relief and I have to say in the end, no real surprise. For me slightly fewer coincidences would have made it more enjoyable.

Alice is at a turning point in her life when after three years as a young widow she finds her safe routine world turned upside down by a sudden influx of unexpected occurrences. Unlikely lovers declaring themselves and a mysterious woman make her busy life as a journalist all the more confusing. That is without coping with the expectations of a daughter who assumes that Alice’s life revolves around her grandchild and a somewhat difficult elderly father.

I have read other novels by this author but the last one was over ten years ago and I thought she was an author I enjoyed, which was the reason I obtained this copy. Either my tastes have changed or this is not up to her usual standard. One of my favourites was ‘A Womans Age which was a bestseller twenty years ago.

If you enjoy this genre give her novels a try, but do not be put off by this one as I do not think it is the best example of her work.


I visited Rachel Billingtons website and was very surprised in what she had to say herself about this novel being a comedy, which I have reproduced below.

http://www.rachelbillington.com
Too many of my friends have become widows. Their sadness is mitigated by an intense urge to carry on with a full life. I admire their courage enormously. In The Space Between Alice Lightfoot is widowed very young – in her early forties, although she’s already been made a grandmother by her rebellious teenage daughter. I wanted to write a book about a woman starting again, looking for a new life and a new love. It turned out to be more of a comedy than I expected as lovers presented themselves in perhaps slightly unlikely numbers.

[Kerry Smart · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rubbish. Weak and predictable. Don't bother.