The World Between Us
Sarah Ann Juckes
March 2021

An intriguing tale of a bed bound girl, struck down by a mystery illness. Unable to even venture downstairs her only contact with the outside world is through her laptop and the webcams of the various people she watches, anonymously. Until, she becomes drawn in to a particular character and begins to share a little.  Thoroughly recommend - Fredrika Kirsten Debrabant @ PHACEMAG

"The reader is drawn into a mystery, all the while learning of impossible pain and enduring love." : Frederika K Debrabant

In March Penguin Books published The World Between Us, by Sarah Ann Juckes, an affirming and authentic depiction of chronic illness which explores how modern technology, such as live streaming, has changed the lives of those who live with a chronic illness.

 Alice may be bed-bound, but every day Stream Cast brings the world to her. From the streets of Tokyo to a masterclass in video games, she experiences other people's wild and exciting lives all without ever leaving her room.
But everything changes when Alice is introduced to a new streamer. 
Rowan encourages Alice to stop watching, and start taking control. But Rowan has a secret he's trying to hide from Alice - and from himself.

"My hope is that those living with chronic illness can see their everyday reality reflected in Alice's. At the end of the day, this book is a classic 'boy meets girl' love story. And why shouldn't disabled people see themselves in a leading romantic role? That's certainly the story in my house..."

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​Inspired by Sarah’s work with Creative Future - an arts organization supporting underrepresented UK talent including those with mental health issues, disability, identity, or other social circumstances – and her experiences of her long-term partner Ryan and ​other members of her immediate family living with chronic illness, The World Between Us is a powerful and thought-provoking story about falling in love with someone a whole world apart.
 ​Alongside Sarah’s experiences, career and extensive research, The World between Us was carefully reviewed and edited in consultation with an inclusivity reader.
Whilst undoubtedly chronic illness remains underrepresented in fiction, the larger issue is the lack of authentic and positive representation. When these stories are told, there is often a disproportionate focus on suffering, or the trope that someone has to be 'cured' in order to find happiness.
It was this desire to see more hopeful and authentic representation that inspired Sarah to write The World between Us. On this, she said: 
‘My hope is that those living with chronic illness can see their everyday reality reflected in Alice's. At the end of the day, this book is a classic 'boy meets girl' love story. And why shouldn't disabled people see themselves in a leading romantic role? That's certainly the story in my house.'

Sarah’s partner Ryan added, on what he hopes books like The World between Us will achieve for those living with chronic illness:
‘Chronic illness presents limitations that can be difficult to understand or relate to unless experienced first-hand. I'd hope that by raising awareness of those limitations, healthy readers can be more accepting of the unusual challenges we experience, improving our relationships and increasing awareness.'

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