The Space Between Us
Thrity Umrigar
2005
321 pages
Even though I’m already dead, I know I will have to live. Because we live for more than just ourselves, hai na, beta? Most of the time we live for others, keep putting one foot before the other, left and right, left and right, so that walking becomes a habit, just like breathing. p. 148
Bhima has spent her life living for others. She works as a servant in Sera’s household. And although Sera professes to see her as part of the family, she still considers Bhima to be dirty and low-class. She may help her through family crises, but she still cringes when she thinks of the Bombay slum in which Bhima lives. For Sera, Bhima is almost child-like in her need for Sera’s help and patronage.
Yet Bhima is a strong woman. After the death of her daughter, Bhima has raised her granddaughter, Maya. She had such hopes for Maya, who was enrolled in college. Only now Maya has turned up pregnant. Bhima struggles daily with her love, her rage, and her disappointment in Maya and the circumstances she has landed herself in.
As the book progresses, both Bhima and Sera reflect back on their lives. We see them as young women, newly married and hopeful for the life ahead of them. We see their struggles and their disillusionment. And we see them now as aging women, in the company of their family, yet still alone. And although the two women have helped each other for years, they will always be separated by class. They may have much in common, but they will never know it and never admit to it, because they are constrained by their class and culture…despite years spent together, these two women would never dream of sitting down and chatting over their chai.
Umrigar has done a fantastic job of showing the class divisions between one well-to-do Parsi woman and her illiterate servant. It did take me awhile to get into this one, not because of the story, but because of the writing. The first few chapters seemed loaded with adjectives, and my brain kept obsessing over the fact that every noun seemed to require extra description. Luckily, that seemed to settle down after awhile (or I didn’t notice as much). But while I appreciate the story and did like the book, I don’t find myself quite as in love as I anticipated.
I really loved The Weight of Heaven so I’m anxious to get this one.
Sorry this was just an okay read for you; I did like your review a lot.
I LOVED this one, and really enjoy her writing style. I’ve read 3 books by her so far and this one and The Weight of Heaven were favorites.
.-= diane´s last blog ..40 – Wench; Dolen Perkins-Valdez =-.
I always hate it when I don’t love a book as much as I thought I would. I’m not familiar with this author-I’ll have to check out her stuff.
.-= Colette A Buckeye Girl Reads´s last blog ..Review: Secrets of A Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas =-.
I want to read Umriger soon – just nor sure which book to start with.
.-= JoAnn´s last blog ..An Evening with Richard Russo =-.
I loved The Weight of Heaven, so I’m surprised that this one didn’t get rave reviews from you. I think I’d still like to read it.
This author has been recommended to me dozens of times, and I have yet to get off my butt and try. This one sounds good, though. Wanna take bets on whether or not my ‘brary has it?
.-= Andi´s last blog ..Limping Toward Maternity Leave =-.
Are you saying this new, best-selling, made of paper book had too many adjectives?
Actually, it sounds like a very sad story.
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..Review: "If the Church Were Christian" by Philip Gulley =-.
Everyone seems to have to say good things about this one. I am sure I want to read something by this author!
I totally love that cover and that is a great quote!
.-= Veens´s last blog ..Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster =-.
The ideals in the books sound interesting–sorry you didn’t like it as much as you had anticipated.
And by the way, I am going crazy guessing where you got the book from!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Book Review: The Mortician Diaries =-.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy it quite as much as you had hoped. I have this one on my shelf somewhere. I’m looking forward to reading it one of these days.
.-= Darlene´s last blog ..Friday Finds (March 19 ) =-.
I plan to read this for the SAAC too! I have had it on my shelf for about a year but I have heard such great things about the author that I know I need to get to it soon!
.-= Colleen (Books in the City)´s last blog ..Review: Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show by Frank Delaney =-.
I am still deciding on my SAAC books — I had this on my list. I have made no decisions yet!
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking: Chocolate Raspberry Squares =-.
Well this sounds like a really interesting read. I’m sorry that you didn’t end up enjoying it as much as you thought you would – but that happens sometimes. Thanks for the honest review – I always appreciate hearing people’s honest thoughts on a book. It really helps me anticipate what I’ll be reading, if I decide to pick up the book