Thrity Umrigar Books In Order

Publication Order of Between Us Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Picture Books

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Thrity Umrigar is a renowned Indian-born American novelist, journalist, critic, and teacher, who is famous for writing fiction, memoirs, and poetry. She is included in the list of bestselling authors and is particularly popular for writing novels like Bombay Time, The Weight of Heaven, The Space Between Us, The World We Found, If Today Be Found, The Story Hour, etc. Umrigar is also for penning the memoir called First Darling of Morning. Her novels have been translated into multiple languages and released all over the planet. Besides writing novels, author Umrigar works as an Armington English Professor at Cleveland’s Case Western-Reserve University. Umrigar’s book, Space Between Us, had become a finalist for the Beyond Margin/PEN award, while the memoir written by her was a Society of the Midland Authors prize finalist. Another of her novels was a selection for the Chatauqua Literary & Scientific Circle.

Many of Umrigar’s other novels have been selections for Community Reads. The highlight of Umrigar’s writing career is winning the Lamda Literary award, the Seth Rosenberg award, and the Cleveland Arts award. Author Umrigar was born and brought up in a Parsi family in Mumbai, India. She moved to the United States at the age of 21. As she studied at a Catholic school in Hindu country, Umrigar experienced a cosmopolitan and schizophrenic childhood that has proved helpful in her life and careers. As a child, Umrigar was always accused of daydreaming by her parents and teachers. She says that she grew in the imaginary worlds created by Hemingway, Faulkner, Steinbeck, and Woolf. On many occasions, Umrigar used to emerge from the fictional worlds and create poetic and fictional worlds of her own. As Umrigar’s parents had a practical mindset, they always encouraged her to go for an undergraduate degree in the subject of business. Author Umrigar managed to survive through the business school by being a part of a drama club as well as acting, writing, and directing in plays. She was able to publish her first essays, poems, and short stories in the national newspapers and magazines in India when she was just 15 years old.

After earning her Bachelor of Science degree from the Bombay University, Umrigar went on to obtain an M.A. in journalism from the Ohio State University, and then a PhD in English from the Kent State Univeristy. Following her post graduation in journalism, Umrigar spent several years working as a reporter, magazine writer, and columnist. She even won several awards as a journalist. In 1999, Unrigar was awarded the Nieman Fellowship to study at the Harvard University for one year. It was during her days at Harvard that she came up with her debut novel called Bombay Time. Umrigar accepted a teaching offer from a university in Cleveland and has been involved in this profession since then. Other than teaching and writing, Umrigar takes up freelance writing works for publications like Boston Globe and Washington. Author Umrigar is quite active on the circuit of national lecture. She has spoken at many book festivals across various United States universities and colleges.

A very popular book written by author Thrity Umrigar is entitled ‘The Space Between Us’. It was released in 2006 by William Morrow & Company. Umrigar has set the story of the novel in Mumbai and has described the lives of 2 women named Serabai Dubash and Bhima. Serabai is depicted as an upper middle class widow, while Bhima is shown as her servant. Throughout the course of the story, Bhima and Serabai are shown going through similar experiences of life. They experience abuse, absence of husband, pregnant dependent, and a better future’s hope. Umrigar has told the narrative in the third person. It is believed that was influenced to write this story from her personal experience of the employer-servant relationship. In addition to the struggles in the lives of the two ladies, the book also explores India’s social class and shows how the society was divided on the basis of power. The character of Bhima is inspired from Umrigar’s domestic servant who had the same name when Umrigar was living in Mumbai during her childhood. Umrigar had a great admiration for Bhima. After the book’s release, many positive reviews showered on it from different parts of the world. Many prominent critics have spoken highly of the storyline and its characters. A majority of readers have enjoyed the simple and descriptive prose of the book. Several other critics praised the sympathetic characters and Mumbai’s lively depiction by Umrigar. The novel’s success set the stage for author Umrigar and helped her have a prosperous writing career ahead.

Another exciting book penned by Umrigar is called ‘The Secrets Between Us’. It was published in 2018 by Harper. Once again, Umrigar has included the primary characters as Bhima and Serabai Dubash. This compelling and poignant novel shows how Bhima struggles against misfortune and class divisions, and goes on to find a new path in modern India for herself & her granddaughter. At the plot’s beginning, it is shown that the illiterate and poor Bhima had worked for Dubhash’s Parsi family faithfully for over 20 years. But, when she chose to speak the truth related to a heinous crime against her family, she was fired. As the sting of the dismissal came for Serabai Dubash, it seemed more painful for Bhima as the temperamental Serabai had been her confidante for a long time.

Following her dismissal, Bhima picks up herself from her loss and despair, and starts searching for other ways of earning livelihood. The fortunes of Bhima turn unexpectedly when she comes across a taciturn and bitter old woman named Parvati. The two form a business partnership of selling vegetables and fruits in local market. As their work grows, Parvati and Bhima come closer. They confide in each other the truths and wounds of their lives. As Bhima discovers a true friend in Parvati, her first one, she begins to join the pieces of a new life together. With the support of one another, the 2 women begin to take hold of their lives and shape them on their own terms. This book provides a dazzling story about friendship, second chances, gender, and strength. It is a perspective and powerful novel that evokes life’s complexities and harsh realities experienced by women as well we their struggles for survival brilliantly. The novel was equally appreciated as Umrigar’s previous books by readers all over the globe. They showered their rave reviews on various literary platforms and praised author Umrigar for entertaining them with such meaningful stories about life and its struggles.