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Thursday, July 8, 2010

The Space Between Us Read-a-Long at Lit and Life

 I chose to participate in this read-a-long, hosted by Lisa of Lit and Life, because I'm truly fascinated by all things India. I've watched several movies about India and have read quite a few books that take place in India, my favorite being, 'A Fine Balance.' That book still resonates with me to this day and it was ages ago that I read it. I've decided to use visuals as to what I'm learning and reading about this week.


Synopsis of The Space Between Us from inside flap:
The Space Between Us is an intimate portrait of a distant yet familiar world. Set in modern-day India, it is the story of two compelling and achingly real women: Sera Dubash, an upper-middle-class parsi housewife whose opulent surroundings hid the shame and disappointment of her abusive marriage, and Bhima, a stoic illiterate hardened by a life of despair and loss, who has worked in the Dubash household for more than twenty years. This extraordinary novel demonstrates how the lives of the rich and poor are intrinsically connected yet vastly removed from each other, and how the strong bonds of womanhood are eternally opposed by the divisions of class and culture.

Chapters 1- 12 in pictures:

 Slum in Bombay

Inside of home


 Parsi Wedding


 Market place


 Food


 Family


This passage sums up my reading perfectly:

The generosity of the poor, Sera marveled to herself. It puts us middle class people to shame. They should hate our guts, really. Instead, they treat us like royalty. The thought of how she herself treated Bhima- not allowing her to sit on the furniture, having her eat with separate untensils--filled her with guilt.
p.115

20 comments:

  1. What great photos you selected. I so Loved this one; hope you love it as well.

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  2. I should have joined in with this one! It sounds wonderful!!

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  3. What a great review!! i loved the visuals you included. Brava!!

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  4. I just bought this book last Saturday and am really looking forward to reading it.

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  5. This sounds awesome! And the pictures are so colorful; even the "poor"households display lovely colors. The food is colorful, too.

    A friend's daughter lived in India for awhile and met her husband there. Now they're living in the states, but my friend learned to cook Indian food and even created a cookbook of her favorites.

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  6. I do love that there are pics as well, that gives a real insight

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  7. The pics really put things in perspective don't they? There is such a huge difference between the middle class and the lower classes.

    In the U.S., middle class isn't all that great but in India...servants are a given for the middle classes since labor is so cheap.

    Umrigar has a lovely way with words. I feel as if I am right there while reading the book.

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  8. I like they way you did this post in pictures. In this case the saying - One picture is worth a thousand words - is quite true. This story has my attention. I look forward to your next installment of the book.

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  9. Love the photos. Some of my favorite books are about India so I understand what you are saying about the fascination.

    Have you read The Blue Notebook?

    I'm really enjoying The Space Between Us.

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  10. Very creative way to tell a story! The pictures and quote were a perfect review.

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  11. My company owns center over in India...and I got a lot of insight when trainers came over to learn certain functions in my building....the classes there are very divided...i like the photos you chose...shows the way its divided! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  12. Interesting you have mentioned A Fine Balance, after finishing that book, I have discovered this one. I'm looking forward to reading it. :)

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  13. Great pictures! It really makes you want to try to find something to do to help them, but really there's only so much we can do.
    I found your blog through Julia. She said you'd post about the Pine Ridge Book Drive. Just wanted to say thank you in your interest in participating.
    Also wanted to add that when I saw the name of your blog I knew exactly what it meant! Not sure why I knew immediately, but I've spent lots of time in Michigan. The UP and Detroit. LOVE Michigan, lots of great memories!

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  14. I'm stopping by to see your thoughts for the readalong! I really like how you used pictures to convey bits and pieces of the plot - so creative. I'm loving the book so far and can't wait to see where it goes!

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  15. I have been wanting to read this one for quite some time.

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  16. Great post. I have to admit defeat in this one. I'm just having the reading blahs right now and struggling to read what I have to.

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  17. I love how you included photos - I did a couple with my post too- but you included the market which is a scene from this part of the book that has stayed in my mind!

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  18. Great post--love the pictures; they really do sum up the story.

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  19. Wonderful post and I can see why you are doing the read-a-long. The pictures really bring it home. I look forward to your future posts about this book.

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  20. I cannot fathom why I haven't read this one yet.

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