The Namesake: A Novel Paperback – June 4, 2019

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.

Jhumpa Lahiri's fictional novel, The Namesake became a best seller which adapted into her first major motion picture in 2003. Lahiri is a Bengali American author who practically considers herself nothing more than American.In her novel, Lahiri relates herself to the main character, Gogol, a man who is caught between two conflicting cultures. The novel tells the story of a traditional Bengali couple, Ashoke and Ashima, who migrate from Calcutta, India, and first settle in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Throughout their years, they raise their son Gogol, the traditional Bengali way, but he begins to grow into an American man and leaves his cultural roots behind by betraying his parents. He disrespects them in ways they find untraditional such as changing his name. Gogol leaves his parents and starts a new life on his own as he moves out for college, begins romantic relationships with nothing but American woman, but later on ends up with someone he never expected to marry.This novel is not only filled with family drama, romance, sex, and rebellion, but there is also death. A death no character in the story expected, but a death that gave the realization of a certain character to appreciate who they are and where they come from. This death gave that character an eye opening view in the way they saw their life.Through this story, Lahiri's goal was for her readers to understand the importance of a cultural life and the emotional feeling of belonging nowhere. Overall, she did a great job in telling a story for one to comprehend the importance of combining two unique cultures and the relationship one has with their culture. For Gogol, it took him time to understand and accept himself. Gogol was simply a character who relates to many diverse people trying to discover who they are and where they come from without clashing two cultures. The Namesake is a novel meant for the maturity of those who are capable of understanding the theme in this novel. Lahiri did a great way in describing the characters emotions and actions. This is a book with a unique understanding of human decisions.

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 is different. A descriptive account of a family’s life. So simple, yet so moving. The simple lives are intimate to me. This book may not be for everyone, but this book is for me. The lives of the Gangulis so accurately mirror mine—though I am only sixteen. I’m glad to have read this book, to learn the lessons Gogol and Sonia learnt later in life. Of course, I cannot criticize or give a in depth review as I’m an amateur writer still. But one day, when I have reached a level of writing such as Lahiri’s I will reread this book and reflect again.

This story is well written by an author that pulls you in to really know the characters and their culture. Lahiri, the author, expertly opens a reader’s eyes to different social classes, marriages and cultural traditions. The reason for three stars is the book moved along slowly (boring at times) and the main characters always seemed so sad.