The Space Between Us by Thrity N. Umrigar

Fallston Friends Evening Book Group discussed this challenging book at their December 2006 meeting. Please call the branch for more information on the group: 410-638-3003.

The Space Between Us is an examination of whether and in what circumstances the gulfs between people separated by traditions of class and gender can be narrowed down or swallowed up. Umrigar, journalist and Case Western Reserve professor, sets the book in modern day Bombay; but an interesting topic of discussion might be the spaces that exist between people wherever they might live.

The heartbreaking similarity of their lives appears for a while at least to close up the space between a wealthy Parsi widow, Sera Dubash and her hardworking domestic, Bhima. Despite class disparity, they have suffered equally the abuse of men, the loss of love, and the joys and sorrows of motherhood; however, their relationship is full of contradictions. Though Sera says she views Bhima as “one of the family” and is sponsoring Maya, Bhima’s granddaughter through college, she cannot truly shake off her ingrained class prejudice. Though Bhima takes tea with her employer, she is still not allowed to sit on the furniture and must use her own cup. Bhima is grateful for her employer’s patronage, though often resents her condescension.

A crisis occurs when Maya becomes pregnant, quits school and will not name the baby’s father. It remains to be seen as the plot unfolds whether personal connection will win out against class allegiance and gender inequality.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about the universal lot of women, or the joys and sorrows of marriage or motherhood. Set as it is in Bombay, the book evocatively describes a complex culture very much in flux and it should appeal also to anyone who likes contemporary stories set in other lands.

Elizabeth