Discover books similar to "The Space Between Us"
Thrity Umrigar
The Space Between Us
4
"The Space Between Us" by Thrity Umrigar is a powerful and poignant novel that explores the complex relationships between two women from different social classes in India. Bhima, a widowed maid who has spent her life in service to the wealthy, and Sera, her upper-class employer, are bound together by circumstances and history, despite the vast chasm that exists between their worlds. Umrigar's vivid and evocative writing transports the reader to the bustling streets of modern-day Mumbai, where the contrast between wealth and poverty is stark and unforgiving. Through Bhima and Sera's stories, she sheds light on the struggles and sacrifices of India's working-class women, as well as the devastating impact of societal expectations and traditions on their lives. The novel delves deep into the themes of class, gender, and identity, as Bhima and Sera grapple with their own prejudices and assumptions about each other. Despite their differences, they find common ground in their shared experiences of love, loss, and the search for meaning and purpose in their lives. Umrigar's portrayal of Bhima is particularly compelling, as she embodies the resilience and strength of India's countless unnamed and unheralded women who toil in the shadows of their more privileged counterparts. Through Bhima's eyes, we see the world in all its complexity and contradiction, as well as the small acts of kindness and compassion that can make a difference in even the most difficult circumstances. "The Space Between Us" is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that challenges the reader to look beyond appearances and assumptions, and to see the humanity that connects us all. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and compassion in a world that is too often divided by class, gender, and race...
List of books similar to "The Space Between Us":
Rohinton Mistry
A Fine Balance
Like 'The Space Between Us', 'A Fine Balance' explores the lives of Indians from different backgrounds confronting social and political issues. Mistry's novel, however, is set in the 1970s during the Emergency period, highlighting the struggle for survival and the importance of human connections.
Learn More
Jhumpa Lahiri
Interpreter of Maladies
In 'Interpreter of Maladies', Lahiri, like Umrigar, delves into the Indian-American experience. The collection of short stories showcases the complexities of cultural identity, family relationships, and the search for belonging, much like 'The Space Between Us'.
Learn More
Arundhati Roy
The God of Small Things
Set in Kerala, India, 'The God of Small Things' shares the poignant story of fraternal twins Estha and Rahel. Roy's poetic prose and exploration of societal norms, family secrets, and the impact of political events on personal lives resonate with the themes in 'The Space Between Us'.
Learn More
Jhumpa Lahiri
The Namesake
'The Namesake' follows the Ganguli family as they navigate their new life in America. Lahiri explores the generational divide, cultural expectations, and the search for identity, echoing the themes in 'The Space Between Us' but from an Indian-American perspective.
Learn More
Salman Rushdie
Midnight's Children
'Midnight's Children' is a magical realist novel that follows the life of Saleem Sinai, born at the stroke of midnight on India's independence day. Rushdie's narrative weaves together the history of modern India and the story of an individual, similar to 'The Space Between Us'.
Learn More
Rohinton Mistry
Family Matters
'Family Matters' delves into the lives of a Parsi family in Bombay, exploring themes of aging, family dynamics, and social change. Mistry's nuanced portrayal of the characters and their relationships parallels the narrative in 'The Space Between Us'.
Learn More
Rebecca Skloot
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
While not directly related to 'The Space Between Us' in terms of subject matter, 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' shares Umrigar's focus on the human aspect of social issues. Skloot's investigative journalism explores the story of Henrietta Lacks and the medical ethics surrounding her immortal cell line.
Learn More
Jamie Ford
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Set in Seattle during World War II, 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet' tells the story of Henry Lee, a Chinese-American boy, and Keiko Okabe, a Japanese-American girl, who fall in love in a time of racial prejudice and internment. Ford's novel shares Umrigar's focus on the complexities of cultural identity and the importance of human connections.
Learn More
Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner
'The Kite Runner' follows the life of Amir, an Afghan man, as he navigates his relationships, guilt, and redemption. Hosseini's novel, like 'The Space Between Us', delves into themes of friendship, betrayal, and the power of forgiveness against the backdrop of political turmoil.
Learn More
© All rights reserved.