I'm fortunate to live in a city that was recently named one of the "Top 10 Most Literary" (an honor having something to do with bookstores, libraries, online book sales, and e-reader ownership) so it's not surprising there's a decent selection of book clubs specializing in various genres and topics. One club I recently joined exclusively reads fiction from, or about, India. Being a part of this group has exposed me to books and authors I never would have picked up otherwise!

Last month's selection was Thrity Umrigar's The Space Between Us and despite its frequently uncomfortable moments, I could not put it down. The story shows us the lives of two women with painful marriages, destroyed dreams, and personal hardships from two very different castes. Sera is the wealthy housewife and Bhima is her maid. Their working relationship spans decades and through that time a reliance and closeness forms. Despite appearances, this is never a friendship between equals and when tragedy strikes Bhima's granddaughter, Sera's view of the underclass is challenged and she must make a decision about her allegiances.

Which of the two women has the greater integrity? Who is right and who is wrong? Our lives and relationships are fragile and full of inconsistencies. Answers are never definitive and subjective at best. What you bring to the story will be mirrored in what you take away from it.

I absolutely loved this story of two women in India - middle class Sera and her long-serving servant Bhima who lives in the slum. Both have suffered hardships through their lives that bond them, yet the caste system still keeps them apart (Sera doesn't allow Bhima to sit on her furniture or share her utensils). Their relationship is put to the ultimate test when Bhima's granddaughter Maya becomes pregnant out of wedlock. I thought this book was beautifully written and the ending left me both sad and uplifted. I didn't want this book to end.

3.5 stars but couldn’t leave 3, feels too harsh.
I think I wanted more from the end and finished a little dissatisfied. But it was a good read, well written and interesting interaction and development of characters.

I don't really know how to rate The Space Between Us. It is a very well written book. I believe it paints an accurate picture of the differences, the spaces, between the generations in families, the space between the marriage partners, the classes; all of which cause nothing but pain.

This is perhaps the most dismal book I have ever read. I despised Bhima, one of the two main characters on the second page of the book because of her attitude toward her granddaughter, who finds herself pregnant and unmarried. Ms Umrigar paints a picture of that family as completely dismal; Bhima's husband leaves her and takes there son, their daughter and son in law die leaving their daughter to be raised by grandma.

The other main family, who is of a higher social standing. Sera employs Bhima as a maid and, at least in the eyes of her daughter, treats her badly although she pays for Bhima's granddaughter's college until she is pregnant.

The story gets involved and there are a few redeeming minor characters who bring some light into the darkness. I kept pondering just how many people committed suicide after, or during, reading this book.

I give this three stars because I really have to give Ms. Umrigar credit for a very well written book, even though there are too many Indian words and, what I assume are, endearing nicknames for the characters. Many, but not all of the other Indian words can neither be decoded from the context nor can Google help with them.

I doubt The Space Between Us will become a Bollyhood movie, but perhaps. Apparently, I am in the minority in my opinion.

This book was so heartfelt. I can’t wait to read the others in this series. I love the way the author writes as well as how she brings the characters to life.

Having gone to school for psychological counseling for a year, it's a bit inevitable for me to begin noticing the amount of text devoted to internal thought in a novel. The answer is usually: not a lot. With this story, however, Thrity takes the time to bring the reader through the emotional and intellectual debates constantly happening in the two main characters, and in this fashion draws her audience into the story. The way she forces you to chew your path through a number of unpleasant memories and sensations is a kind of tough love not gone unappreciated by this reader.

My heart has been obliterated.

Wonderful and sad. Shocking to see the evil in some people's hearts, their cowardice, and how awful the actions we take against other humans. The depth of betrayal, the extent of it, is incredible. Also fascinating to see how certain aspects of Indian culture turn a blind eye or even encourage such cruelty. Far more than a simple master-servant relationship, I enjoyed the depth of the friendship between the two lead characters immensely, and felt a closeness with them, because of how deeply complex they both are. Amazing book, very good read.

Intense, gripping. Evocative of The Kite Runner and A Fine Balance. Would read more from this author.