The Space Between Us: A Novel (P.S.)
by Thrity Umrigar
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Book Reviews of The Space Between Us: A Novel (P.S.)
Book Review: Authentic... takes you there
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read many novels set in India, many great, but not many that feel so authentic. This novel brings so much to life--the slums of India, the class system, juxtaposition/intermingling of wealth and poverty, and the complexity of life in a world where class is deeply rooted in religion, tradition, acceptance, etc. And it does it without resorting to what I consider "Bollywood" tactics--no weird coincidences, no savior appearing from nowhere, spontaneous dancing ;), etc.
There are many wonderful reviews here with summaries, so I will not offer one. One review contended that the ending did not feel "true to the characters," and I can understand that assessment. It might have made Sera's story more full circle had she defended Bhima and saved Dinaz from a potentially philandering husband. But I am Indian and I know Indian women Sera's age... no matter how much she wanted to, there's no way she could have chosen Bhima over her family. It rang true to me. And even if it had gone the other way, with Sera being the "freed and enlightened" one, it would have been a sad story bc of the loss/deterioration of her family.
The characters will stay with you, the prose is wonderful--never full of itself and intrusive, and this title (so apt) will cause you to consider the spaces between you and those in your world, something we often purposely ignore.
Book Review: Compelling Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a glimpse into a world which describes the Indian culture, set in Bombay; a story of Sera Dubash, an educated and wealthy widow and Bhima, her illiterate maid. The story explores the challenges women face in their relationships with men and how the consequences of these difficulties are starkly different depending on education and class. The women have surprisingly similar lives and struggles. Both have experienced love and loss. They have suffered greatly because of their mistakes and because of the misfortune of being born a woman. Each has an unhappy marriage. Bhima's husband has abandoned her after an accident robs him of three fingers and his manhood. He leaves her and takes Bhima's son, whom she never sees again. Sera has a vindictive mother-in-law and a husband who abuses her physically. There are many layers and was a wonderful source of a many layered discussion in my book club, class and culture, struggle to cope, loyalty, abuse, prejudice and much more. This is truly eye-opening, emotionally wrenching, a compelling, engaging read! I recommend!!
Others I recommend, some from reading in my book club, others I read on the side and loved, I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE, ROSES, PERFECT, EXPLOSION IN PARIS, WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE...I, personally, LOVE books that glory in the woman's triumph, fight for womanhood.
Book Review: Another good novel about India
Summary: 5 Stars
Whether we like to think it or not, we are all shaped by the families and situations into which we are born. The class system in India just does a clearer job of solidifying that fact. Sera and Bhima are really so much alike but their worlds are totally different even though they may be together day after day. They both are shaped by and trapped by the roles into which they were born. The situation with Maya is so unfair and heartbreaking; Sera's response when she finds out the truth is pathetic, but entirely in line with what she has been taught and what she has lived for her entire life. One can't help to believe that she will have many sleepless nights filled with worry and regret, yet she will not be able to make any move toward conciliation.
I really liked this book, but I was a bit unsure about the ending. The ending implies that Bhima has found some sense of self-worth, but I'm not sure that can be maintained in her circumstance of no means of support and the conditions where she lives.
I have read several books about India and by Indian writers lately and they have all been wonderful. If you like this one, I recommend "Inheritance of Loss" and the movie "Water." There is a lot of great writing coming from Indian authors and this is just one example.
Book Review: handcuffed by culture
Summary: 3 Stars
The "space" here applies to every relationship in the book, and it can be socio-economic, generational, or a gender-defined gap. Bhima is a domestic servant to Sera in Bombay. They have been friends for years, but the delineation between employer and employee is very well marked, as they are both handcuffed by the expectations of their culture. Still, Sera's family has provided ample assistance to Bhima's--ensuring that the doctor administers antibiotics to Bhima's husband when he's dying of an infection, providing for Bhima's granddaughter Maya's education, and then taking Maya to a good doctor for an abortion. One of my chief complaints about this book is that, except for Sera's father-in-law, the men are unilaterally evil--Bhima's husband, Gopal, who became an alcoholic and left town with her young son after an industrial accident, Sera's deceased husband, Feroz, who was a wife-beating tyrant, and Sera's son-in-law, Viraf, whose treachery is disclosed at the end. Mainly, though, the book seems to promote the theme that gratitude is a form of bondage. I certainly have no argument with that. Many of us view our bosses as friends at some level and our employers as benevolent dictators, but yet we'd relish the opportunity to "take this job and shove it."Book Review: Creators (and destroyers) of life
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the story of an mid/upper class Bombay woman and her servant; the relationship between them, the similarities in their lives amidst living in such distinct social classes. For the bulk of the story, the "space" between the two women is small; they spend most of their days together and the servant, Bhima, witnesses all the happenings of her mistress.
What makes the book so rich is the plot (which keeps getting thicker as the story goes on); and the uncomfortableness. It makes you think about the relationships in your life that resemble master/servant; people who work for you, people you work for, etc. As a reader you want to pretend that you don't have these types of caste systems or boundaries, but we all do. You also have so much hope for Bhima, and want her to break out of her slum (literally) but the author does a great job of depicting the barriers to doing so.
I just finished reading Slumdog Millionaire: A Novel; both are great books taking place in India. Someone in my bookclub found a quote from The Space Between us that I think is wonderful:
"Women create life; men destroy it."