“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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I read this story a long time ago and fell in love with this book. The details and the intensity of this book make you feel as if you are right there with the characters. You get a sense of everything they feeling. Smelling, and gling through. This book was so powerful and well written I instantly became obsessed with her books. I recently now have the second book to this and I can not wait to find out more to this story. You just have to read this heartbreaking story of such strength, courage and the unbelievable things this woman had to go through. Its breathtaking.
A detailed and fascinating depiction of India and its caste structure told through the eyes of its fictional but true to life labyrinthine (sp?) characters. Thrity Umigar is a master.
The Space Between Us was a look into the best & worst of an Indian family and their relationship with the grandmother’s employer. This one will touch your soul.
Have recommended this book and author to many.
Wonderful
Wonderful story about friendships and family ties and surviving loss.
Too grim and horrible lives.
Thoughtful, very nicely written
Couldn’t put it down …well written!
I read this book several years ago and I am still haunted by it.
I would not have thought this book and it’s narrative were for me, however I could not put it down. India has a caste system that is disturbing and seems like fantasy as opposed to real lives lived daily in horrible poverty. Being from the south in the US it gives another view of the exact attitude others can have about even people of their own race! Outstanding way to experience this story from the one woman who seems to have the “ least”, yet in the end finds she has more than most of the wealthier people who she has lived and worked with for 20 years. Not in material items of course but in freedom, love, and most of all , the dignity she chooses for herself!
Actually “Very Good” writing and story would be my descriptor. Will recommend to friends who enjoy world building books with interesting characters and a evocative story.
Having spent time in India I was able to relate to the characters and I felt the author created very believable characters whose relationships were genuine
Excellent story of well to do woman and her servant. These characters stayed with me long after reading the book. Bravo!
Great author, well written interesting story.
Loved the characters in this book
This book really took you to the streets of India and the differences between the life of a rich woman and a woman living in the slums.
Great human story
This is a beautifully written story of a friendship between an unhappily married woman in India and her servant. They have supported each other for years, but something happens that changes their lives. Now there is a sequel.
Beautiful depiction of life in modern India. I loved every bit of it, couldn’t put it down.