A compelling story about the bonding of two women living under different caste in modern Bombay. An upper middle class educated Parsi woman who was married to a physically abusive husband and her loyal 65 years old illiterate Hindu domestic servant whose husband became an alcoholic and left after an industrial accident. Well written story about grief, loss, ill-fated lives of oppressed women in India. I got to know more about India’s tradition and culture and how education and the class you were born in decide your fate and destiny. Good to read but may feel drained after reading the sad and naked truth about life living in slum and under the caste system.

A haunting story that I keep thinking about. It skillfully weaves a tapestry of friendship and generosity marred by class distinctions. A fascinating window into the oppression of women in India and the inner strength of an illiterate woman who by all appearances has nothing.

Once again this author delivers a compelling story of women in India. It explores the lives of two women's lives in the various class systems of India. I enjoyed the story; however, it had much sadness and despair for the women. The men are brutal and selfish in their domination over females. I would not necessarily recommend it.

Okay, looking at previous comments, I obviously do not share the opinions of other readers. I will now explain my rating. But before I do that, I will say the author's character development was excellent, her description of events, the environment was perfect to the point I actually believed I was in the places she described.

And I suppose that was my problem with this book. I felt totally and completely emotionally drained after reading "The Space Between Us." I am one of those people who typically goes to the movies, hoping to escape the realities of life, just for a little while. Usually, I read for the same reason, at least when I read fiction. If I want reality, then I read non-fiction.

I felt compelled to finish reading Umrigar's "Space Between Us," because I felt sure I knew how the book would end. I was wrong, thankfully, but it still left me unsatisfied and it only confirmed what I already knew - there are so many people living in this world who are so desperately poor and there is nothing that can be done about it. And that I find depressing. (And yes, I am for real and I am being totally serious.) Umrigar IS an excellent writer but I find her material too realistic, maybe that is my loss.

isn't there going to be a movie ...that's coming out April or something ..I just want to know if this is the book?

The Space Between Us delves into the lves of two families of different socio-economic realms in Bombay. The novel is well written, adeptly puling you into the lives of the interesting characters. The story is pretty bleak which didn't bother me but by the end, I was disappointed that all the men in the novel were disappointments. Life is not a box of chocolates but sometimes you want to believe it. Still I recommend this novel and will read more of Umrigar's work as she has proven that she can pen.

An incredible story of life. Love, hate, tragedy, relationships, loss and the social divide. Moving story of women for women by a woman. So different from a western style of living yet so relatable.

A fantastic read for all women. Nobody has a perfect life!

Bhima, devoted servant, and Sera, her employer, are deeply separate by caste—yet their lives are intertwined by love, deceit and betrayal. Set in two very different households in modern-day Mumbai and witnessed through these two compelling women, journalist Umrigar’s novel vividly captures how the bonds of womanhood are pitted against the divisions of class and culture.

I found this book to be very interesting, it gives you a little insight into the class system in India.