Welcome to Thrity Thursday, also known as “The Space Between Us” read-along. We’ll be reading the book over the next few weeks. Thanks to Lisa for putting it together and thanks to these other bloggers for joining in on the fun!
Dar at Peeking Between The Pages
Staci at Life In The Thumb
Kathy at Mommy’s Reading
Booksync at Book In The City
Bailey at The Window Seat Reader
Mari at Bookworm With A View
Chapters 1-11
My Synopsis:
I am playing catch-up since I was supposed to post about the first six chapters last week, so I will keep this short.
Bhima and Maya live in the slums of Bombay. Bhima is Maya’s grandmother and makes her living working for Sera. Sera has money and lives with her daughter Dinaz and her husband, and they are expecting their first baby. Maya is also expecting her first baby, but it’s a baby produced out-of-wedlock, and the pregnancy promises nothing but shame for Maya and her grandmother.
The two families, although tied together by Bhima’s employment to Sera, have their own history. Both have shared disappointment and grief and both bear their own burdens. Sera’s money is what puts Maya through college, so it’s only normal for Sera to feel some resentment when Maya becomes pregnant. Bhima shares in that resentment and is grateful when Sera once again, comes to their aid, but there are hurt feelings as each struggle with what they’ve been given.
My Thoughts:
When I read The Weight of Heaven, I was charmed by Umrigar’s talent as a storyteller. I had no problem getting into the story and the same can be said with The Space Between Us. I worried about being able to catch-up with the others since I was so far behind in my reading, but over one, lovely day I opened the book and before I knew it, I was already eleven chapters in.
The difference in class is great, yet the two families respect one another and often find themselves baffled over their differences. Sera manages to be fascinated and repulsed at the same time while visiting Bhima in her slum hut. Bhima realizes that although Sera’s family has money, that there are secrets there as well. No family is perfect.
I am so taken with these characters, that reading about them, takes no effort at all. I look forward to the second half of the book and from what I’ve read, this would make a fabulous book club pick.
Book Chatter 
Is it too late to join? I missed this being away. 😦
It’s not too late. We are into week 2 out of 5 but the book reads very fast. Go here for the schedule and post a comment so Lisa knows you are joining us. Yay!
I’m really enjoying this one too. I love books that take place in India!
Just read Swapna’s review of this book, and I was swept away by her obvious love for the author and the story. I’m doing a Vietnam read-along, or I would join in this one!
I’m really enjoying this book and am so glad to be reading it. I will read ahead and might read straight through since I’m going on vacation to Boulder next Weds. I can’t imagine putting the book to the side, I want to finish it to see what happens.
I really like how you summarized the first eleven chapters! I am reading along as well and am loving it so far.
I’m kind of in love with Thrity Umrigar now! Wonder if she would just let me come and fan her and feed her grapes while she writes?
She certainly has a way with words, doesn’t she? I had a huge craving for Indian food when I finished the book.
This is a book that I really should make time to read. I think I’d really enjoy it. Glad you are!!
I am loving this book! There is not an overabundance of words but the author says so much with the words she does use. I could easily zip through the rest of the book!