This is a story about taking a leap of faith
And believing the unbelievable
They say those we love never truly leave us, and I’ve found that to be true. But not in the way you might expect. In fact, none of this is what you’d expect.
I’ve been visiting my mother who died when I was eight.
And I’m talking about flesh and blood, tea-and-biscuits-on-the-table visiting here.
Right now, you probably think I’m going mad.
Let me explain…
Although Faye is happy with her life, the loss of her mother as a child weighs on her mind even more now that she is a mother herself. So she is amazed when, in an extraordinary turn of events, she finds herself back in her childhood home in the 1970s. Faced with the chance to finally seek answers to her questions – but away from her own family – how much is she willing to give up for another moment with her mother?
Space Hopper is an original and poignant story about mothers, memories and moments that shape life.
I really liked the style of the writing and the way the author made me feel as if the character was speaking directly to me. It made me feel like I really was a part of the story. It was so cleverly written that I really believed in the characters and what was happening to them. I also enjoyed the 70s setting when Faye went back in time which brought back all kinds of memories of my childhood. I had one of those orange tiger space hoppers, and strap-on roller skates and also liked going ice skating occasionally.
Going back in time is something that I do feel can’t really happen, but this book really makes you think what if? What if you really could? Who would you go and see, who would you want to talk to, would you want to change anything? Would that change your present if you did? We are who we are, what we are and where we are now because of the past and changing just one single thing could change who we are now. At times the book made my head spin. Did what happened in the past affect Faye’s present, or was it changed by what happened when she went to the past? Since she already knew what has happened as she grew up, does that mean that she can’t change anything?
From the back of the book
My thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part in this tour and to Jess Barratt at Simon & Schuster for my review copy of the book. Space Hopper is available now in hardback, ebook and audiobook formats. If you are able to, please support a local bookshop and order your copy from there. Otherwise, you will find buying options for various retailers on the Simon & Schuster website here: Space Hopper
I do like a book with a bit of time travel in it and I absolutely loved this one! Faye experiences the extraordinary and almost unbelievable when she finds herself travelling back in time and meeting with her mother and her young self. Faye grew up without her mother and relishes the chance to meet and talk with her. Not surprisingly, she is somewhat reluctant to tell her trainee vicar husband about this for fear he thinks she has gone mad.
Space Hopper is a fabulous read, looking at faith in many forms and lasting love. I found it very moving and compelling. The bonds between mothers and daughters are very touchingly explored and the author has a few surprises for her readers too. I couldn’t put this book down and thoroughly recommend it.
About the Author
Helen Fisher spent her early life in America, but grew up mainly in Suffolk where she now lives with her two children. She studied Psychology at Westminster University and Ergonomics at UCL and worked as a senior evaluator in research at the RNIB. She is now a full-time author. Space Hopper is her first novel. She is currently working on her second novel.
