The Space Between Us

Quit on page 49. Bhima is shaming her granddaughter Maya for getting pregnant at 17, physically and verbally abusing her. Sera is repulsed by her maid, Bhima, even though really there's no reason for it. Bhima was going to demand that the boy who knocked up Maya marry her, but I'm like 90% sure Maya was raped. And Sera and her husband, when they were first married, lived with his mother, who was always listening in on their arguments surreptitiously, and when Sera expressed concern, her abusive husband would tell her she was just being paranoid and would ask her if she was on her period. (Flames on the side of my face.) This whole thing just feels really messed up and hopeless and I don't want to keep reading it.

I read Honor by this author and really enjoyed it so wanted to go back and read one of her earlier books, but I really didn't get on with this one.

I liked what it was trying to say but the way it was written was so slow and dragged out, with flashbacks which were way too long. It just felt like a chore to wade through it, and it's not even a long book.

Perhaps I'll stick to ger newer books.

not great, but poignant in its simplicity, and the ending makes you want to sigh and hug Bhima and buy balloons.