It's not often that I read what is termed "literary fiction", and in truth I would not have picked up this book if it hadn't been given to me. As a result it's been on my TBR for a long time, but these days I'm reading more on impulse than plan and so I grabbed this book last weekend and gave it a go.
The Space Between Us follows the stories of Sera, a middle-upper class woman in Bombay, and her servant, Bhima, who lives in the slums with her granddaughter. Throughout the course of the story, and through very well done use of flashback, we gradually learn about their lives, how they got to be where (and who) they are, and how they are tied together. The line between servant and mistress is sometimes blurred, and sometimes disturbingly clear. The last 100 pages really pick up speed as secrets are revealed and the ending is somewhat of a surprise. Satisfying? Yes. Though perhaps rushed. For Bhima to have such clarity only an hour after the climax of the story felt a little fast, though the symbolism was brilliant. I was actually almost disappointed. I wanted to know what was in store for Bhima now. I wished that those who had treated her so shabbily got what they deserved, but then again, the whole point of the book was that no matter how "close" you think you are, class always wins out. Someone will always take the word of a person of higher class than believe a servant from the slums.
The one thing I found disturbing was the violence. It made me squirm at times. And I don't mean a lot of gore or anything like that, but at times both Bhima and Sera have disturbing thoughts. Mercurial shifts in mood where they impulsively want to slap or beat people. I was very uncomfortable when Sera pinches her mother in law. Granted, the woman was a tyrant but now she is an invalid. There are several occasions where the main characters have these sorts of thoughts.
A review from the Washington Post Book World states that Umrigar "has created two wonderfully sympathetic characters..." There were times I was not sympathetic with either of them. I much prefer the Boston Globe's assessment, calling it "provocative and disturbing". It definitely is that.
Donna
HONEYMOON WITH THE RANCHER, Cherish UK March 2011
A FAMILY FOR THE RUGGED RANCHER, Cherish UK June 2011
HOW A COWBOY STOLE HER HEART, Cherish UK October 2011
www.donnaalward.com
