“This is a story intimately and compassionately told against the sensuous background of everyday life in Bombay.”—Washington Post Book World “Bracingly honest.”—New York Times Book Review The author of Bombay Time, If Today Be Sweet, and The Weight of Heaven, Thrity Umrigar is as adept and compelling in The Space Between Us—vividly capturing the social struggles of modern India in a luminous, … adept and compelling in The Space Between Us—vividly capturing the social struggles of modern India in a luminous, addictively readable novel of honor, tradition, class, gender, and family. A portrayal of two women discovering an emotional rapport as they struggle against the confines of a rigid caste system, Umrigar’s captivating second novel echoes the timeless intensity of Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible—a quintessential triumph of modern literary fiction.
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This book brings out the feelings of women trapped in the strict caste system and male chauvinistic society of India. It is informative, interesting and well written, but I found the ending unsatisfying.
I like the author’s writing style. Although this is a fiction, it will open your eyes to life in India.
A wonderful read. There but for the grace of God go all of us.
This is a thoughtful, well- written book. It would be great for a book club.
A bit melodramatic but a great read nonetheless
Very good read. Another cultural, and enjoyed learning about. Sad living conditions and the caste
System
Descriptive portrayal of haves and have nots in India. Literate verses illiterate. Men verses women. Character development through the relationships of author’s characters.
Did not find the characters compelling, and the story was not that great.
Didn’t like the ending however the story as a whole was engaging and interesting. First time reading a novel on Indian culture, so I learned a lot.
I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot about what it might be like to live in modern day India and the complexities of life there. I like the characters with their human flaws and unexpected kindness to each other.
A wonderful story. I’m told it is realistic – I wouldn’t know for sure but likely it is mostly realistic \, though sad. I enjoyed reading it even though the story is bittersweet
This was such an amazing book in every way: from characters to story! I enjoy learning while reading a fascinating story and Ms. Umigar provides it all.
I have since read every one of her books, though they differ, her voice is always amazing as are her deep characters!
I loved this book! What a great surprise-highly recommended!
A beautifully written exploration of how two women who are very much alike in many ways are kept from relating to and helping each other by the caste system they’ve been taught. This novel shows how truly harmful such a system is because it allows abuse to be seen as a normal way of life. It also shows the beauty of friendships made across these society created divides and the strength of human character that can still see beauty in some truly dark places.
Can not wait to see what happens to the characters in the next novel.
T
Women’s issues are universal. Doesn’t matter the country, age, or family.
This book provides a very different view of a country of which I know very little.
A beautifully written, and thought provoking story about the social disparities in modern day India. While the distinctions are ever present, what is finally understood is that all of us deal with the same issues, prejudices, and heartbreak, despite those socioeconomic differences. Somehow it is seemingly more times, than not, the females that see and gets past the social veil to the core of what’s true: we’re more alike, than not.