Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bombaim | 2005 | Thrity Umrigar | N/A |
| 2 | The Space Between Us | 2006 | Thrity Umrigar | Buy |
| 3 | A Change Within Us | 2018 | Thrity Umrigar | N/A |
| 4 | The Secrets Between Us | 2018 | Thrity Umrigar | Buy |
The Between Us series by Thrity Umrigar centers on the relationship between two women in Mumbai: Bhima, an illiterate domestic servant, and Sera Dubash, her upper-middle-class Parsi employer. The Space Between Us (2006) is the heart of the series, exploring the deep bond and sharp divide between these two women. Despite their closeness, the social gulf between them shapes every aspect of their interactions.
The Secrets Between Us (2018) picks up Bhima’s story after the events of the first novel. Now on her own, Bhima must find a way to support herself and her granddaughter. The sequel shifts the focus more squarely onto Bhima and introduces new characters while maintaining Umrigar’s attention to the realities of class in Indian society. Bombaim and A Change Within Us are companion works connected to the same characters and world.
Umrigar draws on her own experience growing up in Mumbai to bring these characters and settings to life. The series has been praised for its honest portrayal of class dynamics in India, avoiding both sentimentality and cynicism. The Space Between Us was a bestseller and is frequently assigned in university courses on postcolonial literature and South Asian fiction.