The Namesake

I enjoyed this book from several perspectives. As a story, its characters were well-developed and sensitively drawn, and because they came from a culture different from mine, it expanded my understanding of the immigrant perspective: challenges and opportunities. As a writer myself (albeit nonfiction) I was also intrigued with Lahiri’s writing style. Her ability to bring a scene to life with myriad common details was fascinating and effective, and I was also interested in her Afterword statement that her writing style had changed a great deal. The book made me think about my parents, my upbringing, the factors and events that shaped me and my family. We will be discussing this book in our next book club gathering, and I found the discussion questions helpful and engaging.

I have just finished "The Namesake" so all my impressions are fresh. As many other readers, I bought this book because I was impressed by Lahiri's short stories. This one, although obviously the author should try to do better with the novel form in future, is remarkable too. The story of Indian immigrant family, typical for second half of the 20th century and, in many ways, matching my own, which just started (scholars moving to the States thanks to their academic achievements and lured by career prospects, sinking into this "melting pot" and becoming a part of it) is emotionally charged so much that sometimes I had tears in my eyes. The parents, Ashima and Ashoke Ganguli, deal with detachment from their families and their world in India by incorporating parts of their old life and tradition into the American everyday reality, surrounding themselves with Bengali friends in the same situation, but their children, born in America, have a much greater problem with their identity. This is common to most of the immigrant children and more or less a generally known truth, but Lahiri describes the feelings of the main protagonist, the firstborn son of the Ganguli family, with extraordinary acuteness. The boy is named Gogol, after his father's favorite Russian writer, but Ashoke gives him this name not only as a tribute to the novelist. It is a memory of an important event in his life, he treats the name as a symbol, a sign. Gogol, however, hates his name and we go with him through the rebellion years, contesting the values of his family, trying the new ways, name change, falling in love with American girls (or more with their lifestyles), slowly and gradually getting to understand, accept and finally appreciate the Indian heritage and his parents (although there are many failures on the way). I was left with a profound feeling of melancholy and thoughtfulness. Formally, there are some uncomfortable shortcuts (especially towards the end of the novel) and the plot feels sometimes a bit awkward (I would like to make a more general remark here, namely that the new generation of authors who attended the Creative Writing courses has something in common, as if the rules they learn left on each of them the same mark, difficult to wash away and cover with the personality; it might be expected from beginners but surely must fade away if they do not want to be called beginners any more), but it is an interesting novel. I treat is as somewhat of an appetizer, a promise of the masterpieces yet to come from under Jhumpa Lahiri's pen.

Got it for my class reading (not surprising tho, the book was great). Quick delivery and great packaging.

The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri is an amazing novel that describes the life of, Gogol, a second generation immigrant boy living in the United States. It very vividly describes the struggles of assimilating into American culture while still keeping his family's Indian traditions. He struggles with the meaning of his name and constantly feels that he is being judged by the name alone. Gogol does not seem to understand why he has to keep all of his Indian traditions alive. He is often embarrassed by his parents and the way that they act. He also has a hard time really finding out who he is and where he belongs. He craves the American lifestyle and attends Yale while dating many American girls. He is drawn to their free spirit and their lifestyle which is so different from the one he has always known. The author is very descriptive in her writing therefore allowing the reader to become completely immersed in the book. She uses he descriptions in such a way that one can actually feel how the characters are feeling in the novel. Being a second generation American myself, I found that I could really relate to a lot of the topics being covered in the book. I could relate with the struggle of identity as well as how sometimes it is very difficult for second generation Americans to relate with their own parents. This novel makes it very clear that even though there are many different immigrant families here in the United States we still all go through the same hardships in order to make it to where we want to be. Not only does the novel show Gogol's struggle but it also shows the struggle of a first generation immigrant through his mother. Gogol's mother has a very hard time adjusting to America. She misses everyone back home in India and that is something that I see in my own mother all of the time. The novel clearly depicts how there is always a constant struggle no matter how long one has been living in this country. I would definitely recommend this book because it is a very well written novel. It is a very moving and inspiration story that becomes very memorable. The language she uses to express her thoughts is very well crafted. Lahiri really has a way of making the reader want to keep turning the page

This novel was highly recommended to me years ago, but somehow I was putting the reading off until I recently read "In Other Words"; I then became curious of the writings by this now acclaimed author. While reading the book, I was rather disappointed, because I was expecting a masterful literary piece: the novel did not deliver. It's a good story, full of interesting insights into Indian culture and the life of Indian emigrants. The characters' difficulty in integrating their own roots into the reality of a desired and adopted new homeland may rekindle many readers' memories or help well-rooted Americans to understand immigration as an ongoing process. A process that significantly contributes to the contemporary history of our country. Yet, "The Namesake" did not satisfy my need to experience a solidly written work reflecting expertise in the art of story-telling. The novel's structure is simply unbalanced. The narration focuses on too many characters and does so in disproportion; the storyline goes back and forth for no narrative purpose, creating a certain disorder that is not at all artistic. Importantly, there is no character whom I would like to befriend. It is with only moderate pleasure that I continued my reading, just to have the satisfaction of finishing it.

The Namesake -- Jhumpa Lahiri PROS: Beautifully written, with vivid depictions of characters and settings that feel true and authentic. A timeless, classic story of identity, family, and self-discovery. CONS: The last third of the book drags a little and didn't sustain my attention the way the rest of the book did. The ending was poignant but a little dull. I had expected (and hoped for) more. Overall: This is my first Jhumpa Lahiri read, so I can't compare it to Interpreter of Maladies or any of her other works. I appreciate Lahiri's ability to make her characters "come to life" on the page, to recreate specific time periods, settings, and kinds of people with such skill that you sometimes forget you're reading fiction. This was an enjoyable read, though the first 2/3 of the book was better, in my opinion, than the end. I kept waiting for the plot to intensify a little, but the story plodded on as it had throughout, if anything becoming less intense as it progressed. Nevertheless, this is a fine novel, a worthy retelling of a classic human story, well written and, for the most part, engaging. Not an amazing book, but a good one.

An epic story of a Bengali family spread over two continents and two generations. Well thought out and written. Worth the read.

THE NAMESAKE, by Jhumpa Lahiri, is a really engaging and intelligent look at the experiences of a young Bengali-American man, Nikhil "Gogol" Ganguli. It starts with a look at his parents' beginnings in the United States, living in a middle class town in Massachusatts, and adapting to the culture of the United States, while maintaining connections to their Bengali roots, in India. Prior to their union, Ashoke has a life-altering experience that changes his view of life and his possiblities in the world. He encounters another passenger who encourages him to see the world before he settles down with wife and children. It isn't until an unfortunate sequence of events, that he realizes that he can't take his life and time for granted. Their young son, Nikhil (or Googol, his petname) carries the legacy of his father's experience on the train, along with his faher's great love of the author Nicolai Googol's novels, in his name. I don't want to give away too many plot twists. I will say that this book was beautiful, descriptive, moving and intense. Lahiri has a real flair for storytelling and this is a book that really tells a very compelling and engaging account of one young man's experiences as an "ethnic Other," with a name that makes him stick out in society, as well as an identity that is scrutinized an often misunderstood by those outside of his immediate culture. In conclusion, I think that filmmaker Mira Nair did a marvelous job adapting this for the screen, and I was not disappointed. Yes, I read the book AFTER I watched the film. I reccomend both the film and the movie (in no particular order). I can see why this book was chosen as this month's "Seattle Reads" novel for May. I look forward to seeing Jhumpa speak at Seattle's Town Hall in just a couple of weeks time.............

"The Namesake" by 'Jhumpa Lahiri' is simple yet extraordinary tale of an Indian bengali family, who has immigrated and settled in America. This book portrays the two generation's thought process, the difference and similarities between them, hardships of people who changed their nation. It also deals with many emotional aspects too like the craving for homeland, love, marriage, failing relationships etc. but the main theme of the book was identity and naming of the the protagonist. Ashoke Ganguli an intelligent young man was married to Ashima who is shown as an homemaker. They shifted in America just after their marriage. Ashoke being a working man got busy in his schedule and Ashima was left back, she crept to go her homeland. Though after sometime she started getting use to her life. The book opens with her pregnancy scene, she gave birth to a boy. Through her pregnancy journey to her labour pain ward she was shown comparing the particular place where they lived to India, which shows that she hasn't completely embraced US yet. And this isn't the end, throughout the book she has been shown comparing the nation where she lived to where she belonged. Her love and respect towards her homeland is something next level which will give a reader a jolt of rapture. Ashima and Ashoke though they have moved to abroad but they haven't forgotten their roots which is seen in the first half of the book itself. When their first child was born they were waiting for their grandmother's letter which has their child's name. Unfortunately the letter was lost and in an emergency they had to choose their child's name, 'Gogol'. And this very name gives turn to the story. Hereby this is the central theme of the book. The importance of this name in Ashoke's life discussed in the book is another interesting plot. Years later when Gogol grew up he was ashamed of his name and changed his name to 'Nikhil' and was happy with that until he came to know the importance of 'Gogol' in his father's life. He led his life the way he desired. He wasn't very fond of Indian culture and ritual. He found it extraordinary which made him try to escape from them. Later he learns through his hardships and failure what exactly life is about. Though it was too late for it. (It's a freaking human tendency we never care what we have) This book was a heart warming roller coaster ride for me. The plot was gripping, themes and characters were great and the most beautiful thing was the way it was presented. There will be several points in the book which will teach you good life lessons while reading this, like how we take our parents or loved ones for granted, another thing was we should never ever forget our roots where we come from, our identity cause that's what matter and many more things. In short it was a wholesome read. I would recommend this book to each and everyone out there. You won't regret even for a second once you start this masterpiece.

I have just finished the novel "the Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri!! It is a wonderful read, written with such raw emotion. Her development of the characters was so well done!! You could feel their frustrations, fears and anxieties! It takes a long time for the main character to realize who he really is and the value of his namesake! I can't wait to read to read the rest of her novels! I do enjoy her writing!!!!! Other novels by Jhumpa Lahiri are "The Lowland", "Interpreter of Maladies"and "Unaccustomed Earth".

This is the first book I have read by Jhumpa Lahiri but it has been on my TBR pile for a while after seeing it so highly rated. I love being immersed in another culture when I read and, as I have also emigrated to another country, I was keen to start and be taken on a familiar but different journey. We start the book in 1968 with Ashoke and Ashmina Ganguli, they are recently wed in an arranged marriage and have immigrated to Boston from Calcutta so that Ashoke can pursue a PhD in engineering. This is a world away from their Bengali family and friends and in the days before the internet, Ashmina is immediately homesick for India so she finds a network of Bengalis up and down the east coast, preserving traditions and creating a pseudo-family in her new country. Within the first year of the Gangulis arrival, Ashmina gives birth to a son, Gogol, named after the Russian writer, whose volume of short stories saved his fathers life during a fatal train derailment in India. Ashoke and Ashmina then have a daughter and they desire that their children have a Bengali life in America despite being one of few Indian families in their area but Gogol and his younger sister Sonali grow up fully assimilated as Americans. They barely speak Bengali and only once in a while crave Indian food. Both choose career paths that are not traditionally Indian so that they have little contact with the Bengali culture that their parents fought so hard to preserve. We follow the family over many years, shifting in perspective from parent to child, and see how their lives adapt, change and remain traditional in some ways as they navigate their futures in the US. I was immediately swept into the story and regularly found myself thinking about the characters when I wasn’t reading the book. This doesn’t happen often and I love it when a book does this to me. The writing is beautiful (it helps if you like short sentences) and the characters are complex and real. I loved reading about the struggles the family overcame and how their diverse upbringings made for an interesting story. Ashima's culture shock and Gogol's identity crises both felt very authentic and I also liked seeing one family's experiences over such a large timescale (around 30 years). At its heart, this is a simple family story told very well and, for a first full-length novel, it is brilliant and I really look forward to reading more of Jhumpa Lahiri’s work.

A thoughtful look a the life of an Indian woman and the experience of her family, including her children as she and her professor husband make a life in the USA. A sympathetic consideration of the challenges of growing up outside of mainstream culture in the US and an accurate portrayal of what for many it means "to be an American." Well written and highly enjoyable book.

Decepcionante. Após ter tantas avaliações altamente positivas, esperava algo melhor. A narrativa é simples, linear e termina por ser monótona. A proposta de mostrar o choque de culturas ficou longe. A história é toda certinha, certinha demais.