The Space Between Us

By Thrity Umrigar

This is an Indian version of The Help. It presents the relationship between a wealthy Indian woman, Sera, and her lifetime servant, Bimah. There is added complexity due to the Indian caste system. I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that upper caste Indian women allow their servants to feed, bathe, hug and completely care for their children but then find them too dirty to allow them to use the same utensils or sit on the same furniture. It's fascinating.