Warning: some spoilers, but certainly not giving away the ending:
The Space Between Us is a beautiful yet depressing novel that realistically captures the everyday relationship between the Indian social classes. Having lived in a similar situation growing up, Thrity Umrigar breathes life into a story lived by untold millions.
In The Space Between Us, Thrity Umrigar weaves a story between the lives of Serabai, a Parsi middle class widow; and Bhima, her domestic servant for several decades. Serabai’s extremely abusive and controlling husband dies suddenly leaving her to finally experience peace and happiness in her family life. In contrast, Bhima’s husband loses three fingers on his hand and is left unemployed and unable to support his family. He turns to alcohol and then leaves her taking her only son with him. Bhima is forced to move to a tin shack in the slums without even running water, electricity, or private bathrooms. Her daughter and son in law die of AIDS in a poorly run underfunded government hospital leaving Bhima to raise her granddaughter.
Serabai lovingly cares for Bhimas granddaughter providing her with an education that is abruptly halted and her life possibly forever changed for the worse.
The Space Between Us goes from bad to worse as tragedy, pain, and hopelessness take over. The really depressing part is that this story is just a snapshot of the real situation taking place in many third world countries as well as India.
I highly recommend this book to book clubs because it is so thought provoking and can lead to some serious conversations and observations. I really look forward to reading additional books by this author. Ms. Umrigar has an unusual ability to breathe her characters to life. Her descriptions are rich, colorful, and full of texture. She does not waste a single word in the entire book.
4 Comments
May 14, 2008 at 12:26 am
Hi, wanted to stop by. Found your blog on LT’s Early Reviewers and have signed up for the fun Tuesday event!
May 17, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Hi, I also stopped by from LT Early Reviewers. I’m new to the Tues thing and not sure if I signed up or what! I left a comment and a link there.. but anyway.. this is a book I’ve wanted to read for a long time. Ever since I read Lahiri’s The Namesake and Interpreter of Maladies I’ve been interested in Indian culture. It sits waiting it’s turn on my TBR pile.
May 27, 2008 at 1:05 am
Hi, great review! I also enjoyed The Space Between Us and reviewed it at http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.wordpress.com Have you listened to the interview on bookclubgirl.com? I have added Bombay Time to my reading “wish list”.
On a general note, your blog is great - very neat without a lot of clutter!
I’ll check in to see what else you’re reviewing ….
June 10, 2008 at 2:47 am
I have this book on my TBR pile. Your review has made me move it up a few places. I have also read Bombay Time mentioned by another poster, you might enjoy it. It is a much larger cast of characters, and reads almost like short stories with a common thread. It was one of the first books of Indian fiction that I read, and although it was not as good as some of the books by Jhumpa Lahiri, it was still very good. Another Indian writer with some good offerings is Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
Leave a Reply