The Space Between Us portrays the relationship between two women who come from vastly different backgrounds: Bhima, a domestic worker who lives in a slum in Bombay (current Mumbai), and Sera Dubash, her wealthy and educated Parsi employer. Umrigar, who is Parsi herself, paints a vivid picture of typical Parsi life in Bombay (current Mumbai) when describing Sera’s world and experiences.

The Parsis are Zoroastrians who migrated to India during the introduction of Islam in Persia, where Zoroastrianism was then the dominant religion. Upon arriving in India, the Zoroastrian immigrants came to be known as “Parsis,” after their Persian origins (“The Last of the Zoroastrians.” The Guardian, 6 Aug. 2020). Parsis migrated to the city of Bombay, now Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra. British colonization of India sparked more Parsi migration to Bombay. Bombay has a rich and flourishing Parsi culture, and there is a strong Parsi presence in the business, economics, and culture of the city (“A Brief History of Mumbai’s Parsi Community.” Culture Trip).

The Parsis operate with a strictly closed practice: Women who marry outside the Parsi community are excommunicated, and Parsi men’s non-Parsi wives cannot become Parsi converts.