Lynn
Fault Lines is proof that cultural differences matter not when it comes to the things in life that truly matter. The range of heartfelt emotions expressed by Mizuki, a Japanese housewife, are relatable to our experiences at various times in our lives. Add to that the opportunity to learn the details of Japanese culture, the beliefs, the celebrations, the food, and you have all you need for a rich reading experience.
Eliza is a rebel. Born to an English upper class family, she is unmarried (gasp!); wants to be a writer (absolutely not!); and wants to work in the kitchen (sounds of her mother fainting!) To top it off, she befriends her kitchen maid (unheard of!). This is one of those books that I didn't want to end.
Thrity Umrigar writes the stories of women in India much like Nadia Hashimi writes of the women of Afghanistan. Both bring you into cultures where women are treated (or, rather, mistreated) because of their sex. Honor is an exceptional story of two women; one who left India as a child for America and the other who lives in a small, backwards Indian village. I haven't read Umrigar's books since The Space Between Us. I read that many years ago but it still stays in my mind and heart. Honor will be the same.
This quirky, angst ridden and irreverent look at the world through Gilda's eyes will make you smile, giggle, cry and worry as she tries to pass herself off as a heterosexual Catholic working in a Catholic church office. And I love the title!
This story of two very different girls growing up in the south charmed and captivated me. A coming of age set in WWII captures life stateside. Add to that some mysterious disappearances and the trials and tribulations of friendship and you have a delightful, genuine story.
Even though I read this many years ago, I was reminded of it when Thrity Umrigar's newest book, Honor, came out. Reading Honor made me think about the memorable book The Space Between Us. A study of the relationship of a wealthy Indian woman and that of her servant, it tells multitudes about women, their complicated relationships and the pressures of culture.