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: "The Space Between" this and other bestselling novels......
Summary: 5 Stars
The Space Between Us is quite an ambitious novel. The universal themes of gender roles, identity, class struggles, poverty, family bonds and love are pervasive, but it is written so eloquently and with such dynamic force that it supercedes the vast majority of bestselling fiction on bookstore shelves today.
This characters and circumstances of this novel could take place in any time and place throughout history, which is what makes it so relatable. The fact that the author chose to set it in Bombay only adds to its appealability, in my opinion. Learning of the customs and pasttimes of the people if India added another layer of fascination, yet these could have been people you all know and love.
What was most brilliant about this novel was the quiet, subtle way the story unfolded, as opposed to it being thrust upon the reader from page one. You will inevitably become so immersed in the characters' stories, you'll be shocked at the way their lives unfold.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. The author is a briliant and magical storyteller and I look forward to reading anything and everything she writes!
Book Review: This could happen in my home in Mumbai
Summary: 5 Stars
I am from Mumbai though I have been studying and living in NYC for the past 2 years. My biggest grouse with West-based authors writing about India is that they are too removed from reality and are busy depicting a stereotypical India that is very changed today.
This book and the author surprise me by how accurate it is. We had a "bai" or a maid like Bhima in my home when I was growing up and some of the interactions between Sera and Bhima are very close to conversations in my own home. And though Sera's choice in the end is terrible, I am humbled to accept that inspite of my education and "modern" thinking, I can understand why Sera chose to stick with her family.
The more striking thing about the book that it is not only about India as it is not about "caste" which are sub-portions of the Hindu religion but rather about "class" which is more wealth and social stature driven. This story could well be set in a white household with a colored servant and would probably be the same. I think it is this universal appeal of the book that makes me give it 5 stars.
Definitely a must read.
Book Review: An Accurate, Yet Bleak Portrayal of Modern Indian Life
Summary: 5 Stars
The divide between the rich and poor is portrayed wonderfully in this brilliant novel.
Written through the eyes of an elderly servant living in the slums of Bombay, and an upper middle class Parsi woman, the past and the present of borth women are interwoven as the story unfolds.
Through the novel, the trials and tribulations of the past, present, and future of both women come to light. The fact that the author manages to make seamless transitions into flashbacks that offer an adequate background into what these two women have experienced. This helps the reader better understand the two women and how their current states of mind were sculpted. It also shows how talented this author truly is.
This book was certainly a page turner, and the ending adds realism to what is really a tragic portrayal of how punishing life can be.
This was recommended to me by my mother, who is a Parsi, and I was delighted to see that her name shows up as one of the characters in the book. It offered a nice tutorial on the Parsi culture as well, for those who are interested.
Book Review: Depressing
Summary: 2 Stars
I appreciate this book for its culture and voice...I can even enjoy a story that has this kind of melancholy and the frustrating reality of chauvinism. I feel that it provides an experience that I'm thankful not to have in my real life, but to know that people live this way-with abusive husbands, in unfathomable slums, where equal opportunities aren't even mentioned-is fascinating to me. HOWEVER...if you are like me and you read a book to escape the harsh realities of life or to at least feel the suffering then the hope for a happy ending, this is NOT the book for you. I'm writing this review to give those people the warning I didn't have. I understand that the life these women had most often does not end well-that's reality-not what I want in a book. I felt like I wasted my time reading this only to be left disappointed and angry. I gave it 2 stars instead of one because I did learn something from the book about another life style, another country, another place and it is engaging and well-written. But if I'd known what I'm telling you I would not have read this book.Book Review: A BREATHTAKING NOVEL
Summary: 5 Stars
Ms. Umrigar has written a truly universal book. The story centers around a wealthy Indian woman and her housekeeper. The very poor housekeeper, who lives in the slums of Bombay, and her employer have developed a symbiotic relationship over many years. Each has become involved with the other's family, problems, dreams and disappointments. The housekeeper's 18 year old grandaughter has become pregnant by an unknown man. The wealthy woman as well as her own daughter and son-in-law become involved in trying to obtain an abortion for this very intelligent and underprivileged girl. The story is full of unexpected twists and turns, and finally teaches us what this class separation really means. Despite their years of friendship, the space between employer and employee is poignantly and devastatingly revealed over the course of the book. It is a breathtaking story, impossible to leave once started. It has humor as well as crying sadness. The ultimate lack of fairness in this world is driven home with cruel accuracy. It has left a permanent scar on my heart.