Thin Space by Jody Casella (review)

Plagued by more than just survivor’s guilt in the aftermath of a car accident that killed his twin brother, sixteen-year-old Marshall Windsor is obsessed with setting things right. Ignoring his girlfriend, barely speaking to his parents, picking fights with former friends, Marsh focuses entirely on finding a thin space, a rare window into the world after death where he hopes to reconnect with his brother. Only someone barefoot can cross a thin space, though, so he shuffles around town without shoes, unconcerned about frostbite and strange looks from friends and neighbors. When new girl Maddie moves into the house where a thin space most likely exists, Marsh is suddenly forced to be social again, and he is surprised to find her willing to help in his search. Maddie has her own reasons for seeking a thin space, of course, and Marsh hasn’t told her everything about his motivations either, but when all their truths are finally revealed, the door to death eventually helps them reconnect with life. While a fast-paced read with an intriguing premise, this novel ultimately suffers because it sacrifices characterization for the sake of the final big reveal. Marshall emerges as little more than his guilt and desperation personified, and since the reasons for his actions are left hidden until the end, he remains largely out of reach and unsympathetic, so fans of supernaturally touched novels about twin bereavement may prefer Warman’s Beautiful Lies (BCCB 9/12). Still, hints at the underlying secret are there for readers paying close attention, providing appeal for those who like to know the answer before they are told. Meanwhile, descriptions of the Celtic belief in thin spaces are interesting, making this novel a possible pleasure for readers interested in stories about communicating with the dead.