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The Secrets Between Us
The Secrets Between Us: A Novel | Thrity Umrigar
27 posts | 20 read | 25 to read
Bhima, the unforgettable main character of Thrity Umrigars beloved national bestseller The Space Between Us, returns in this triumphant sequela poignant and compelling novel in which the former servant struggles against the circumstances of class and misfortune to forge a new path for herself and her granddaughter in modern India. "It isnt the words we speak that make us who we are. Or even the deeds we do. It is the secrets buried in our hearts." Poor and illiterate, Bhima had faithfully worked for the Dubash family, an upper-middle-class Parsi household, for more than twenty years. Yet after courageously speaking the truth about a heinous crime perpetrated against her own family, the devoted servant was cruelly fired. The sting of that dismissal was made more painful coming from Sera Dubash, the temperamental employer who had long been Bhimas only confidante. A woman who has endured despair and loss with stoicism, Bhima must now find some other way to support herself and her granddaughter, Maya. Bhimas fortunes take an unexpected turn when her path intersects with Parvati, a bitter, taciturn older woman. The two acquaintances soon form a tentative business partnership, selling fruits and vegetables at the local market. As they work together, these two women seemingly bound by fate grow closer, each confessing the truth about their lives and the wounds that haunt them. Discovering her first true friend, Bhima pieces together a new life, and together, the two women learn to stand on their own. A dazzling story of gender, strength, friendship, and second chances, The Secrets Between Us is a powerful and perceptive novel that brilliantly evokes the complexities of life in modern India and the harsh realities faced by women born without privilege as they struggle to survive.
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review
LibraryCin
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Mehso-so

This is a continuation of “The Space Between Us” by the same author. Despite this being a sequel (and although I have), I don‘t think you need to have read the first book to read this one. The bits you need to know are told to you in this story (good thing, because I wouldn‘t have remembered any of it!). I liked this. Cont in comments...

LibraryCin It‘s not fast paced, but it‘s a nice story of friendship. With the way it ended, I feel like there is a possibility for another continuation (with a different focus). If another book came out with these characters, I would read it. 1y
12 likes1 comment
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BookNAround
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Gatsby says to put down the book and get her food. #foodandlit

TheSpineView Don't you know food is the most important 🤣🤣🤣♥️🐕 1y
BookNAround @TheSpineView Especially for Miss G. who is a stomach on legs. 😂 1y
Cinfhen I loved this one!!! 1y
71 likes3 comments
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eanderson
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November was a terrible reading month for me so I chose a book I finished in August. The second book to The Spaces Between Us. This book is so beautifully written and Bhima grows in so many ways including accepting others who are different from her. So good! #12booksof2021

Amiable I adore Thrity Umrigar. Her books are gorgeously written. 2y
Andrew65 A great choice. 2y
BiblioLitten I just stacked the first book.🙂 2y
47 likes3 comments
review
eanderson
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Pickpick

What a perfect follow up to The Space Between us. It‘s such a beautiful story. Bhima‘s character arch is so lovely. She has such a good heart. She grows so much and I loved where the story ended. I loved so many of the characters in this book. This book deserves all the stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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eanderson
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My first interval walk/run ‘jog‘ since surgery. I am loving this audiobook and it kept me going today!

TrishB Well done you ❤️ 3y
AlaMich Just curious…what app is that? 3y
eanderson @TrishB thank you!!! 😁💕 3y
See All 6 Comments
eanderson @AlaMich it‘s Garmin Connect. I have a Garmin Forerunner 245 that syncs to it. 😀 3y
AlaMich @eanderson Thanks! It looks really cool! 3y
robinb Woo-hoo!!! You go, girl!! 👏👏👏👏💪💪 3y
36 likes6 comments
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eanderson
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On to the next! 😁

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks How are you? ❤️ 3y
30 likes1 comment
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eanderson
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Beautiful short walk this morning and started a new audiobook #20in4

TrishB I‘ve not got to this sequel yet! Enjoy your walk ♥️ 3y
eanderson @TrishB so I messed up and started this before reading the first but I have it and starting it. Luckily I didn‘t get very far in. 😀 The walk was slow but good! Each day gets better! 3y
TrishB I‘ve done that many a time! Small steps ♥️ 3y
38 likes3 comments
review
Jovy
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Pickpick

I didn‘t think it was possible to love this sequel even more than the first, but I did! The characters are so starkly real, I physically ache for them. Kudos to Umrigar for creating a fascinating story of unlikely friendships, of resilience, forgiveness and hope. Highly recommended in audio, with Kleenex on the side. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

#Booked2021 #SetInACountryWhereUNPeacekeepersAre
#SeriesRead2021

Cinfhen Agreed!!!! I loved both books SO MUCH!!! It was a very satisfying sequel 3y
TheSpineView Way to go!👍📖 3y
SilversReviews LOVED The Space Between Us…good to hear this is good too. 3y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Oooh, I might have to stack both books! 3y
32 likes4 comments
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suvata
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Pickpick

• Continuing my TBR project:
This is one of the highest rated book on my TBR list - Originally added April 2, 2020.

I read the first book in this series about a year ago (recommended by ModernMrsDarcy.com) and loved it. As soon as I picked up this one the story came right back to me and I quickly fell into the drama. Umrigar as a special way of pulling you into the story.

52 likes1 stack add
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suvata
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Although it is dawn, in Bhima‘s heart it is dark.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

review
Cinfhen
Secrets Between Us | Thrity Umrigar
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Pickpick

“It is our secrets that define us” How true!! This book BROKE MY HEART!!! The audio narration was perfection🙌🏻A multilayered story revolving around a few women of different castes in #India #ReadingAsia21 BEYOND gripping!! I‘m ready for book three!!! Please Reese make this into an HBO miniseries. This can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading A Space Between Us first. Reading will require a stash of tissues.

TrishB Great review 👍🏻 3y
Cinfhen It‘s the perfect book, when you‘re longing for a tear jerker. It‘s definitely along the lines of Khaled Hosseini @TrishB 3y
Librarybelle Great review! I‘ll have to look for these books! 3y
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Cathythoughts Sounds good. I love this quote. I‘ll look up A Space Between Us 👍🏻❤️ 3y
Cinfhen Im feeling VERY confident that you will both LOVE both BOOKS!!! @Cathythoughts @Librarybelle 3y
Crazeedi I'm taking your recommendation! Sounds good 3y
BarbaraBB What about me?! 3y
britt_brooke That quote .... oof, so true. Nice review!! 3y
Cinfhen Hmmm @BarbaraBB I don‘t know 🤷🏼‍♀️ I don‘t see you reading a lot of HF and sentimental books, but it‘s such a beautiful story, I can‘t see anyone not liking it. I KNOW this is perfect for you @Crazeedi 3y
Cinfhen Thanks @britt_brooke I KNOW!!! THAT QUOTE 💔 3y
TrishB I just got the hardback of the first one for Qa.80! Bargain ? 3y
Cinfhen Yay!!! I hope you love it @TrishB I must have read the first book 10 years ago!!! But it always stayed with me!!! 3y
BarbaraBB I do like HF so I‘ll give it a try! 3y
89 likes4 stack adds13 comments
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Cinfhen
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LOVING this book!!!! Narration is phenomenal🎧🙌🏻
You don‘t need to have read The Space Between Us but having that backstory makes this book that much more special.
#ReadingAsia21 #India

I‘m loving this challenge @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle ❤️

Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 3y
BarbaraBB You are reading so many good books at the moment, I can‘t keep track! 3y
Cinfhen I know!!!!! I‘m LOVING #ReadingAsia21 @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB so many wonderful books!!! 3y
See All 6 Comments
Crazeedi What @BarbaraBB said! Every morning I'm adding books from your feed!!! 3y
Cinfhen xxx @Crazeedi Lately I‘ve been reading a lot of books that I really think you‘d like. 3y
Crazeedi @Cinfhen I know! I have been adding and adding! 3y
85 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Cinfhen
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I read A Space Between Us years ago and fell in love with Bhima & her story. I was so excited when Thirty Umrigar wrote a sequel. #ReadingAsia21 #India

Librarybelle Yay! 3y
Cinfhen I know!!!!!!! I‘m SOOOO excited @Librarybelle 😍 3y
Cinfhen Another fabulous narrator @Hooked_on_books Sneha Mathan 🙌🏻🧡 3y
Hooked_on_books I just looked her up, as I‘m not familiar with her name and yes! She‘s awesome! 3y
82 likes4 comments
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Mrsemz
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In slum section of Mumbai, India two women in poor circumstances meet and soon become business partners, one is educated, other uneducated but hard-working. A real friendship develops as they need to lean on each other.
As they learn about each other, we learn about the culture and status of women and feel so much empathy for these women and the hard life they had to endure.
Loved the story! Loved the characters!

HardcoverHearts 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I knew you would like this one!! 🙌🏻❤️🙌🏻 4y
2 likes1 comment
review
alisonrose
Pickpick

While not quite on par with The Space Between Us, this was still such a poignant read. I love how well the author writes all kinds of relationships among women, whether family, friends, or foes. And I specifically liked the progression of connection between Bhima and Parvati. The pain and misfortune they both experience is shown honestly but never feels gratuitous or exploitative of the real people they represent. 4/5 ⭐️

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alisonrose

Is it the special curse of women, to keep other people‘s secrets and carry their shame? What would happen, she wonders, if all of them—Parvati, Serabai, Sunitabai—simply put down their loads one day and refused to pick them up again?

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alisonrose

She feels a scream start from deep within her at the irony of this situation. Will she never have a say so in any aspect of her life? she wonders. Does she have no more choice in deciding her own destiny than one of her cauliflowers? Like them, she has been bought and sold, sliced and diced, moved from one corner of the city to another.

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alisonrose

At her age, time has stopped flowing in a linear fashion; rather, it ebbs and swirls, creating a whirlpool at its center that on most days swallows her whole. Her yesterdays have lost their bite; it is her todays that come bearing down with fangs and claws that she has to watch out for.

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alisonrose
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After a DNF, I always try to pick something I feel extra sure about, and since this is a sequel/follow-up to a book I loved (The Space Between Us), I am certainly optimistic ☺️ #nowreading

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Come-read-with-me
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Pickpick

Sympathetic, lively, and colorful women dominate this story that explores relationships across economic, religious, generational, and cultural themes. It is wonderfully written and the characters highly compelling. It celebrates the ability of these women to draw strength from one another in a way that celebrates all that makes them different.

13 likes1 stack add
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Jas16
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Pickpick

Two incredibly strong women forge a relationship solely for financial survival at first but become as close as family as they learn to trust each other. With the support of the other they each grow and begin to reconcile themselves with their pasts. I didn‘t love the last couple of chapters but otherwise this was everything I wanted from a sequel to The Space Between Us and more.

BookNAround I really enjoy Umrigar‘s writing. 5y
74 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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HardcoverHearts
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This feels like an ultimate Galentines Day read. The women in this book are written with such care and attention, set in a backdrop of such aching poverty. The push and pull of self-preservation mixed with desire to give and receive kindness is at the heart of this story. I‘m only 1/3 of the way through and am already in love with all the women in this book.

29 likes2 stack adds
review
Tamra
Secrets Between Us | Thrity Umrigar
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Pickpick

👍🏾👍🏾 Not plot driven, but really compelling character writing. I started this audio book before I realized it was a follow-up to The Space Between Us. No matter, because it stands alone. Loved Thrity‘s writing and looking forward to more.

mrp27 I really liked The Space Between Us, so good! I can't wait to get to this one. 6y
Tamra @mrp27 I was hoping to listen to that one, but no luck at the library. I do have the e-book so print it shall be. 🙂 These busy days I‘m getting thru a lot more via audio. 6y
89 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
EJG31
Pickpick

Excellent book. Check out my full review on Goodreads: #Edelweiss+ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35959168-the-secrets-between-us

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Pandalibrarian
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Pickpick

Wow - this was an amazing read! It's been a while since I read The Space Between Us but it was still easy to pick up the story (though a re-read is in order). The main thing that I'm taking away from this book is that it's never too late to learn, grow, start a new business, make new friends, and reconnect with the past. One of the many quotes I wrote down is this - "that a life without trust is not worth living." So true!

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GirlWellRead
Pickpick

Umrigar's story is about love, loss, struggle, class, and misfortune due to circumstances. Her words read like fine poetry and are a sharp contrast to the cultural brutality that is depicted. I have had the pleasure of reviewing her before, and this certainly won't be the last. Her writing is captivating and thought provoking and I highly recommend this series.