The Space Between

The Space Between follows an Australian spiritual seeker's midlife journey from suburbia to India and back. His search for meaning takes him through meditation retreats, Buddhist temples, and encounters with various gurus. The narrative alternates between the protagonist's physical travels and his interior exploration of consciousness and belief. Documentation of Indian customs, foods, and sacred sites grounds the metaphysical elements in tangible details. The book combines memoir, travelogue and philosophical inquiry as it examines the gaps between Western and Eastern spirituality. Through both humor and serious contemplation, it probes universal questions about faith, purpose, and the nature of reality.

Many readers found the book fell short of expectations for a novel by comedian Shaun Micallef. Several reviews describe the writing as disjointed and hard to follow. Readers appreciated: - The surreal humor and occasional clever wordplay - References to philosophy and religion - The unique concept and ambition of the story Common criticisms: - Confusing narrative structure - Characters lack depth and development - Story meanders without clear direction - Writing style feels pretentious Ratings: Goodreads: 2.9/5 (78 ratings) Amazon AU: 3.2/5 (11 reviews) Sample reader comments: "Too clever for its own good" - Goodreads reviewer "Started strong but lost its way" - Amazon reviewer "Expected more from such a brilliant comedian" - Book Depository review The book appears to have struggled to find its audience, with several readers noting they did not finish it.

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📚 The book explores Micallef's personal journey with meditation and mindfulness after experiencing panic attacks during his comedy performances 🧘‍♂️ Despite his reputation as a comedian, Micallef approaches the subject with sincerity and vulnerability, sharing both his skepticism and eventual embrace of meditation practices 🌏 The author traveled to India and Nepal during his research, studying with Buddhist monks and experiencing different meditation techniques firsthand 💭 The title "The Space Between" refers to the gap between thoughts—a concept central to meditation that Micallef discovered through his practice 📖 While writing this book, Micallef maintained his regular meditation practice of two 20-minute sessions daily, which he credits with improving both his creative work and mental well-being