The Space Between the Stars: On love, loss and the magical power of nature to heal

by Indira Naidoo

A deeply moving and uplifting exploration of the power of nature - even urban nature - to heal the deepest hurts.

For fans of Julia Baird's Phosphorescence, Sarah Wilson's This One Wild and Precious Life or Leigh Sales' Any Ordinary Day comes an unforgettable and poignant exploration of the healing power of nature.

'A tender, touching and at times bloody funny meditation on life. And death. And how to live.' David Wenham

'For as long as I can remember, there has always been just the three of us. Three sisters. Only a year between each. Inseparable. It's been like that for almost 50 years ... Until my youngest sister walked out into her suburban backyard and took her life.

Is it possible to ever heal a tear in your universe?'

After her younger sister died suddenly, broadcaster Indira Naidoo's world was shattered. Turning to her urban landscape for solace, Indira found herself drawn to a fig tree overlooking Sydney harbour. A connection began to build between the two - one with a fractured heart, the other a centurion offering quiet companionship while asking nothing in return.

As Indira grappled with her heartbreak, an unnoticed universe of infinite beauty revealed pale vanilla clouds pirouetting across the sky, resilient weeds pushing through cracks in the footpath, the magical biodiversity of tiny puddles. With the help of a posse of urban guides, she began to explore how nature - whatever bits of nature are within reach - can heal us during life's darker chapters, whether nursing a broken heart or an anxious mind.

The Space Between the Stars is a heart-rending, at times funny, and uplifting tribute to love and our innate need to connect to the natural world, a celebration of the reassuring cycle of renewal that sustains and nourishes us all.

'As long as you can see the stars, you can never truly be lost.'

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography, Australia, Grief, Nature

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2022

About the author

Indira Naidoo is one of Australian television's best-known broadcasters and journalists. South-African born, she first joined the ABC in Adelaide in 1990 and since then has become a regular fixture on our TV screens, most notably as the presenter of SBS Television's highly regarded national mid-evening news service, World News Tonight. She has also hosted the ABC's 7.30 Report, National Late Edition News and Behind the News, and made regular guest appearances on Good News Week, Race Around the World, The New Inventors and The Glass House, amongst other shows, most recently appearing on the first series of Celebrity MasterChef on Network Ten. Indira is passionate about growing her own produce and creating delicious meals with the bounty from her balcony. Details of her food adventures can be found at her blog saucyonion.blogspot.com.

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike a few reviews I've read, about how Indira missed an opportunity to delve deep into the Why her sister chose to take her life and the mental illness that steered her that way.

I liked the slow, steady, walk back to life, she herself needed to take. I recently lost my brother, not to suicide but very suddenly, and this beautiful book has helped me, to take time for myself, to explore new things, to lean on those I love, and those who loved my brother, when I need it.
The childhood stories are not a cop out, but a way of remembering the bonds that bind us. I too am doing the same, remembering the fun times, the silly stories, the younger man he was.
I'm pretty sure Ms Naidoo won't read this, but as one sibling who loved her big brother, as much as you loved your little sister. Thank you, for sharing your journey and helping me to find a little more peace.

[Holly Telford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! This will be one I keep forever and continue to reread for clarity and guidance. I highly recommend for anyone that has experienced loss and the ongoing suffering of grief. Indira pulled the words out of my mind. Thank you

[Tracey Cahill · Rating 2 out of 5]

So disappointing. Basically just another version of Julia Baird's Phosphoresence. Except this time with trees, not the ocean. A lot of childhood memories which were sweet, yet never revealing enough to shine a light on what might have been an insightful read about mental illness, suicide, and how families cope in the aftermath. Just a missed opportunity in my eyes. Using monikers like "Stargirl" for the sister, hampered our understanding of her even further - she was reflected only as a child, not a grown woman struggling with with addiction and mental illness. The pseudo-science blather about trees and the importance nature in healing was just filler. I felt this book never had a point except to help the author find a place to put her grief which otherwise threatened to overwhelm her. Which was probably the point all along.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something about the writing disconnected me from the...writing.

[Jessica (bibliobliss.au) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for anyone who enjoys gentle explorations into loss, grief and humanity. These are themes I’ve discovered I really connect with while reading recent faves like FOUND, WANTING and MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE.

The book centres on Indira Naidoo’s efforts to connect with nature and reconcile her grief after her sister’s death by suicide. It’s also part memoir as Naidoo retells moments from her childhood, growing up as one of three sisters.

Beautifully written and tenderly told, it celebrates nature, resilience, the cycle of life and death while touching on the pandemic and lockdowns.

The last chapter gave me chills but also had me tearing up at its beauty.

A beautiful, tender book that I recommend reading on audio.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indira Naidoo is a delightful person going through the difficult and inexplicable loss of her younger sister. I lost a cousin to suicide and it took me a couple of years to come to terms with not being able to prevent it and never knowing why they did it. All that is left is to try to heal and this is a book about finding healing. Nature is definitely one of the best healers if not the best. Indira writes beautifully about this and about her cherished memories with her sister, a great book for those who are left wondering why.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this twice over 2022 and 2023 and I’m sure I’ll read it again. The most beautiful liminal narrative between life and loss and nature. Recommended for anyone who has grieved a loss that has made them wonder how they might survive

[Chils27 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is like a very very private diary related to the death of author's sister.

[✨ Aaron Jeffery ✨]

DNF
My loan on the audiobook expired. Whoops. Might come back to this at a later date

[Paul Reidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely, sad, life affirming. Naidoo’s book of dealing with her sister’s suicide is simple in the chapter by chapter switch between childhood and now. It is well written and easy to read and very heartfelt.

[Sas · Rating 5 out of 5]

i literally cannot read another book recommended by molly cause all it does is make me cry 😡

[Cadence Lz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very glad this books exists. I spontaneously picked it up from the library having never heard of Indira Naidoo before, because the title is very good (obviously) and i am (as per usual) very interested in 'the magical power of nature to heal' the last time i picked up a book this way was my favourite non-fiction book EVER of a similar topic 'This One Wild And Precious Life' by Sarah Wilson, and guess who wrote advanced praise when i opened the cover?


This book has taught me, through the beatifully written recounts of childhood wonder and exploration of grief through interaction with nature, that with whatever lifetyle you posses you can be connected to your natural world. Not only that, but how essential of a priority this is. Yes, even in the city. Yes, even when busy. Yes, especially when grieveing. It doesn't have to be run away to live in the woods OR not know what grass looks like. There's a balance, and this book reminded me of how much i love slowing down and noticing the world around me, a priority i've neglected recently.

MY FAVOURITE MOMENTS OF LEARNING IN THIS BOOK:

1. Edible weeds and foraging:
"If your love of life is faltering, a weed will certainly set you straight"
"The story of weeds is one of survival, determination, and resilience. Their domain in the city may be between the cracks, but cracks are also how the light gets in."

2. we are made from nature and hence it's presence is healing:
"without being consciously aware of it, we find these fractal patterns [big getting smaller and then smaller again, like tree branches] so soothing to the eye that the need to seek out natural scenes containing them becomes a subconscious compulsion."

3. the science of dirt:
"when we smell damp soil our mood lifts immediately. It's the aroma of life." because the freaking compounds tell our brains food and water are close by?? Crazy? Geosmin (the scent) is created by bacteria that live deep in soil.
"it's possibly why i've never met an unhappy gardener."

4. contentment:
"My backyard is the universe. The sun, wind and clouds have become my constant companions..."

Basically Indira Naidoo's reflections on life, and how each nature guide and topic taught her something about her own grief or her sister, was utterly magical and reading this was pure joy.

[Donna Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I was hoping for as didn’t reach the depth I expected although I appreciated the ending. It was a book primarily about grief with Indira’s sister dying by suicide written trying to seek understanding why it happened and being at peace with the tragic outcome. I listened to it as an audiobook with Indira narrating it herself.

[Rachel Buteaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very gentle and beautiful exploration of grief and life. The author expertly weaves wistful poignant childhood memories with mindful observations of the present. Describing times past with a certain longing and gratefulness, while embracing the beauty of the here and now. There is no drama in the book although as a reader we can imagine the catastrophic impact the death of a family member by suicide must have. My tears were only shed in the final chapters and were far out-weighed by laughter at childhood antics, wonder at the science of puddles and the joy of kite-flying.
As Indira Naidu states in her acknowledgements: this is a book ‘ … where profound sadness and soaring joy wrestle for room on the page.’
A wonderful concise and easy to read book that was compelling to read. I highly recommend.

[Jessica Fealy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, simple book. I didn’t get a sense of the author or her sister really - maybe that is a result of prolonged mental illness in a family? I’m not sure but would have loved to have been able to connect more with this book.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naidoo's deeply personal journey through grief after the suicide of her youngest sister, helped by the healing power of nature. A quick, easy, accessible read.

[Emily Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Space Between The Stars, the idea of healing from grief through nature is explored through a scientific lens and a personal one; Naidoo spends time with scientists exploring the effects different natural phenomena have on humans, and tells the story of her upbringing and the suicide of her younger sister. I found the structure to be choppy at times and this was quite short given the depth of the content, but I nonetheless found myself engaged and inspired by Naidoo's experience.

[Tammy]

Another DNF books for 2022. Tried to add this as part of a reading challenge - read entirely outside. Between work, the weather and the story line, I struggled to get it read (about 20%). Following my trend of not enjoying non-fiction. I’ll keep trying, there is a book out the for me, I’m sure 😏🤷‍♀️😜

[Rosiewild · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book lingered with me after I had finished it. The message of living life and exploring nature as a means for healing was a strong one. The idea that books can write themselves at the right time and place was integral to the story. A tale that was meant to be told. Indira’s writing is hopeful even though the experience she describes is traumatic.

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels wrong to give a rating to someone’s story about their own personal grief but it also feels wrong to leave it blank so I am putting it at a 3

This book was pretty good and well written , not something I normally read and but I enjoyed some aspects throughly

[James Connolly]

I feel bad in criticising what is an earnest book but it vacillates between personal anecdote and deeper analysis, perpetually unclear on what it is about and rendering the latter objective to be constantly superficial.

[Maz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a really nice almost 'slice of life' style narrative of finding your way back to life in the face of immense grief. I think the 'healing power of nature' is simply noticing the world around you, and posting attention to the good things where you can.

[raelee]

This book made me want to look at the stars and jump in muddy puddles

[Dylan Reay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think if you enjoy listening to Indira on radio broadcasts then this will definitely elevate the book for anyone as you'll essentially be getting a free audiobook version.
But other than that it is an enjoyable book in its own right, the subject matter is heavy but the author always manages to keep it light and interesting, peppered with anecdotes and facts from what she has learned through her life.
Defos worth a read, especially if you have siblings or loved ones.

[Hannah Korin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read about navigating grief and the healing power of nature & connecting with your inner child 🤎

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank-you Indira… thank-you for sharing your story, your process, your thoughts and feelings, your journey… sending hope, love, and thanks xx

[Rachel Coutinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful ode to Ms Naidoo's youngest sister. And a great reminder to pay attention to the beauty of nature and the world and people around us.

[Jera]

A touching narrative on the healing power of nature and ways it helps us navigate the emotional burdens we carry. One to reflect on for a long time after.

[Lisa morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful memoir of a journey through grief and finding inner peace and joy again.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A memoir of the author's journey through the grief process after her sister committed suicide. It goes into how nature is a healing force.