The Space Between Us

Human tragedy is not unique to one culture or country. People suffer from poverty and the trials of living. The human condition is color blind -- the concern for brown or white or black or yellow is not important for love, hate, remorse, regret, joy, hope and despair.

Thrity Umrigar creates a universal world in the India setting of her novel The Space Between Us. It is a mixture of English, Hindu, Christian, Indian and just human. Two women (yes, I found my female author) live within blocks on one another and yet caste gulfs apart. One is of money and one is of poverty and misfortunes. Bhima is the domestic servant of Serabai. Even though separated by custom and ritual, they are bound by suffering and loss of love.

The two daughters, Dinaz from Serabai and Maya of Bhima are joined in the plight of their mothers although each mother makes an attempt to rescue the other's daughter. Several generations and years of tradition and history come together to yell loudly that we bleed and suffer and cry in the same manner.

Even though the setting is Bombay, India, it could have been any place and in any country. mothers, daughters, husbands, wives, children and dreams. Umrigan could have read Help in it's American story of servant and employer. Birth and Death are border less and are not confined to one culture or race.

The Space Between Us is a classic tragedy. The story is rich is India custom and tradition yet timeless and anywhere. The stories moves well through the eyes mainly of Bhima. About half the way through there is a growing suspension about the mystery and the end maybe bit too predictable. But it is a powerful story of trust and love and loyalty and friendship and of people.

The love of a mother is without comparison. It is something males will never fulling understand in my opinion. The author says that a dozen times in the book. It is a sad book. But the question is what are we going to do? What would we have done?

Good summer read. Good female author with other best sellers to her credit.