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: Bookclub worthy
Summary: 5 Stars
This book depicts life in India with all it's socially complex aspects, from characters being part of the society of the poorest of the poor, and the much more privileged lifestyle that describes such stark contrast to the life of the underprivileged. The plot will open you up to experience levels of India's multi-level caste system. This is a story of a maid and her family and their hardships, contrasted with her relationship to her employer and sometime friend and is heartfelt, and very complicated. This book will tear your heart out, and make you think. The writing style is beautifully crafted, the story told is nothing that you could ever imagine, the plot is so cleverly written that you cannot second guess the outcome of the story unfolding before you. This book is certainly food for thought and will produce lively discussion at a book club meeting. Lovingly written, achingly heartfelt, giving insight into a society that we Americans cannot possibly imagine.Book Review: A twist of fate ...
Summary: 4 Stars
In The Space Between Us, Ms. Umrigar takes us to the world of modern-day India, a land with many internal differences and conflicts. What she presents us with is the basic class divisions between two worlds: namely, the upper middle-class and the poor. These divisions are depicted through the everyday interactions of the two main female characters, Sera and Bhima, respectively. Ms. Umrigar has deftly created two wonderfully complex women and has given them life. You will identify with and feel compassion for each woman as she struggles in life and ultimately, decides her own fate. You will come to see that there are some bonds that outweigh class and/or culture divisions - that kindness and mercy know no divisions.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and found it to be beautifully written. I recommend it to those looking for a taste of India, interested in great character development or anyone else who wants a good book.
Book Review: Vivid picture reflects true life
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is very well plotted. It begins with the shock to Bhima when she learns her grand daughter Maya is pregnant, the whole story develops along this main thread. Then the author skillfully interweaves the stories of the two main characters, Sera and Bhima, revealing the history, events, and reasons why everything has come to this kind of reality, that Sera is a house master, Bhima lives in slum, that Maya has to kill her incoming life while Sera's daughter is celebrating for her baby. The whole story ends with another shock to Bhima, with an even profound impact that only leaves to reader's imagination. But for this shock Sera will be inextricably impacted, again the impact is intentionally left blank. Perhaps those blanks will lead us to the afterthought that we can gain some insight into how generations of life have shaped our character, our behavior, our mind set, our marriage life and the state where we are today.Book Review: At Times, The Writing Is Utterly Beautiful, BUT....
Summary: 3 Stars
I was immediately drawn into this book which, at first, seemed so promising. Found Bhima's plight to be very compelling. Sera's situation was awful also, but I was still interested in their stories. I think that, for me, the story fell apart when the truth of Maya's predicament unfolded. I don't really know why, but I simply stopped caring.... This was Bhima's & Sera's story and should have remained as such. Again, the writing -- especially describing Bhima's entire story [the hut, the hospital scenes, etc.] -- was, for me, very real & beautifully rendered. However, the ending was unconvincing, in my humble opinion. Extremely disappointed given such a beguiling & goregous beginning!! [I probably would have rated this book a 2 Star read if not for the writing, as well as for Bhima's story [initially a 4 star which unravelled into soap opera].Book Review: Lovely, heart-wrenching and gripping.
Summary: 5 Stars
A beautiful, engrossing book! The author's portrayal of emotions is extremely eloquent and insightful, and her command of language is superb, with beautiful and vivid imagery. I couldn't put the book down and cried many times throughout the book, mainly because the story was so compelling and moving, and partly because I have seen first-hand the raw poverty in India, the ruthless class divisions, the savage oppression of those in positions of power ... and also the largeness of the hearts of those who have so little, the tremendous inner strength of those who survived devastating upheavals, and the beauty of humanity juxtaposed with its ugliness. My life has been profoundly affected and shaped by my own "Bhima" and "Banu" (characters in the book), and I felt a strong affinity with both the story and the protagonists. I highly recommend this book!