I have long been a fan of Emily Sue Harvey and her newest novel Space lived up to what I come to expect from her novels. Her novels never fail to tug on my heart and always leave me feeling hopeful in life and faith. From Song of Renewal (my review), Flavors (my review), Homefires (my review) and now with Space she has created worlds that depict life as it is in all it’s reality but with a strong emphasis on hope and faith in God.
In Space, Emily Sue Harvey tackles drug addiction and it’s very harsh effects on a family. Deede and Dan start out life together with a fantastic marriage. The only thing they really want is a baby and it’s the one thing they seem to be having the worst time succeeding at. Deede goes through more tests and procedures than she can count and with each let down she feels as though it’ll never happen for them until finally the doctor tells them they won’t be able to conceive and they ultimately turn to adoption. However God works in mysterious ways and once Deede and Dan let go of their obsession to have a baby, Deede becomes pregnant. Months later Faith is born and Deede and Dan couldn’t be happier.
Yet not all is coming up roses. Faith is the sweetest child but as she grows up trouble seems to be brewing in the air. Things turn for the better for a while though when she marries and has a daughter. It doesn’t last though and before they know it Dan and Deede learn that their daughter is a drug addict. Faith starts on drugs innocently enough on painkillers after a surgical procedure but as these things go her drug use escalates to cocaine and further. With this Faith’s life spirals out of control and her parent’s lives are never the same either.
Dan and Deede lose pretty much everything to Faith’s drug addiction especially after, at twenty-nine years old, she moves back in with them because she has absolutely no where else to go. She has no job, no life, and has lost custody of her daughter – all to drugs. The following years are a nightmare for her parents. Faith is impossible to live with and there are many episodes in which Dan and Deedee don’t know where she is or if she is even alive. They give up their retirement for her, their nest egg, and pretty much their whole lives just to try to save this daughter of theirs that they had once loved so much and that had given them such joy.
Space really makes us think because just what would you give up for your children if they were strung out on drugs and ultimately ruining your life along with theirs? Would you sacrifice everything or would you resort to tough love and put your child out on the street? For Deede the struggles are great. She loves her daughter and wants to help her even though she knows to some extent she is enabling her. Dan however simply pulls away after one too many stunts on Faith’s part and he just pushes her out of his life. Deede feels pulled in both directions. She turns to her faith to help pull her through and despite the hardships she keeps trying to believe in her daughter.
Space is a realistic look at what life could be like with a person who is addicted to drugs and out of control. It shows the devastating effects that drug addiction has on families. It also shows us the everlasting love of family and God. Space is another good read from Emily Sue Harvey. If you like novels that are emotional and Christian based then Space may just be one you’d enjoy. I did!
I read Space by Emily Sue Harvey for her book tour with Pump Up Your Book. Be sure to check out Emily’s website and you can purchase your own copy of Space here in the US and here in Canada.
My copy of Space by Emily Sue Harvey was received for review from Pump Up Your Book and the Publisher.
Wonderful review Darlene. I think the thing that probably makes this book particularly intense is that it tells the story of something that actually happens all too often…I have known parents that have struggled with this issue and it is so painful to watch, I can’t imagine what it would be like to live through as a parent.
I had not heard of this author before, but you have made me want to investigate her books further 🙂
I cannot imagine what the right thing to do is as a parent in this situation. My heart aches for these parents without even reading the book. This sounds like an emotional read. I am curious about it and will put it on my wish list. Great review!
Oh wow, it sounds like this is a really powerful book that asks a whole lot of difficult questions, and I think it would make for an amazing read. Unfortunately, this is the reality for so many parents with kids who are caught in addiction, and it’s scary and sad. Great review, Dar! Now I want to read this one!
Wow, I have not heard of this author before, but looks like you love her books. And such heavy topics. Thanks for another great review
Sounds like a very powerful book! Thank God I didn’t have to deal with anything like that with my children. My heart goes out the those addicted to drugs and their family members.
The book sounds like a positive, uplifing one on this sensitive topic.
This does sound like a powerful read Dar. Great review.
Nah, perhaps not for me. Some books I just know wont work for me. But lovely review as always
This one sounds like an emotional read for sure and I’m here to say that I would do anything for my children and it would kill me to know that they were addicted to drugs.