Lakshmi is an immigrant from India. Faced with a loveless marriage, she attempts suicide, and finds herself under the care of psychologist Maggie. The professional relationship gradually becomes more of a friendship. Both are keeping secrets, which will eventually drive a wedge between them. Through the format of the one-hour session, Lakshmi relates her background in India, family, circumstances of her marriage, and how she arrived in America.

The story alternates in perspective between Lakshmi and Maggie. Lakshmi’s segments are told in a speaking dialect of broken English. At first the two women seem to have much in common, but the reader gradually realizes that their cultural backgrounds are so different that they have trouble understanding one another’s choices.

This story kept my attention throughout. The author does a great job of portraying each woman’s character and feelings through their actions and responses. I appreciate an ending that allows each reader to come up with an interpretation of what happens next. ( )

2.5 stars- I really wanted to like this book, but sadly, the characters seemed flat and underdeveloped. Not my favorite novel by this amazing author. ( )

I gobbled this book up. I had admired "The Space Between Us" and this one, if anything, outdid her earlier work. Told from two women's points of view--an unhappy Indian immigrant and the African-American therapist she is sent to after a suicide attempt. They cannot overcome the cultural divide between them completely; there are misunderstandings and wounded feelings. But there is also friendship and mutual admiration, and each woman's world widens as the result of the other's attention and queries. A remarkable novel. ( )

Lakshmi Patil is an immigrant with an angry, unloving husband and no family or friends. In her abject loneliness she decides to commit suicide. Maggie Bose is a trained psychologist who is asked to see Lakshmi in the hospital. Something about the woman touches Maggie’s heart and she agrees to provide therapy without cost. The lines become blurred as their relationship less professional and more friendly. Both women are hiding significant secrets – from themselves, from each other, from their spouses, friends and family.

Umrigar alternates viewpoints between these two women. Lakshmi’s chapters are written in a broken English that was at first off-putting, but which I came to appreciate for how clearly that voice represented her. The reader gets a true sense of her loneliness, confusion, difficulties in understanding this language and culture so different from her native land, and the progress she makes. In contrast, Maggie’s chapters show her education, social position, and training as a psychologist. And yet, for all her ability to see the possible stories and motivations behind the actions and words of her patient/friend (or other people she comes into contact with), she seems blind to her own motivations.

I was completely engaged from page one through all the ups and downs of the story. I was anxious about how things would work out, sympathized with them when feelings were hurt, felt anger at some situations, and eagerly hoped for a resolution.

I’m glad that Umrigar left the ending somewhat ambiguous, but I have hope that these characters will find their way to understanding and forgiveness. ( )

An excellent story about an immigrant wife who attempts suicide and befriends her psychiatrist who has issues of her own. Most of the story flip flops between the two women, Lakshmi's chapters in her broken English, Maggie's in a third person narrative. Lots of good stuff in here about marriage, fidelity, love, personal choices and mistakes. It's a relatively easy read but still gripping and packed with emotions (for the characters and the reader).
Recommended! ( )