Book Review: The Namesake

Book Name: The Namesake
Author: Jhumpa Lahiri

Publisher: Harpercollins

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri is a beautiful exploration of immigrant experience, cultural identity and complex bonds of family.

 

Review

The story revolves around the life of Gogol Ganguli (later Nikhil), exploring his experiences while living in the United States with his family, his relationships, his losses, and his identity crisis. Why is this story going to ignite a spark in readers' minds? Because the motive with which it is written is the reason for it to be loved by readers who love to explore stories that follow themes like identity, loss, love, belonging, immigrant experiences, or simply someone living away from home. As for the title, "The Namesake", the story of Gogol is justified. Starting from the decision of his name, which was to be made by Ashima's (Gogol's mother) grandmother, to deciding on a name based on the author Ashoke (Gogol's father) loved, Gogol's life has multiple layers unfolded in this book. There was another story behind that name that readers would find in this book: no more spoilers.

The characters are relatable and will allow readers to feel nostalgic about similar situations they might have faced in their lives. The readers will feel a profound connection to each member of the Ganguli family. Though the story is about immigrant experiences, it will resonate with every reader who has lived away from home. Gogol, the central character, will inspire readers through his quest for self-discovery, from struggling with his name to knowing the essence of it. Ashima, Gogol's mother, shows resilience and love for culture. Ashoke, Gogol's father, the man with patience and perseverance, allows readers to reflect on their dreams with the flight he took to fulfill what he wanted to do in his life.

The author's writing style is simple and straightforward. It will feel like readers are reading the lifestyle of a family through and through until they turn the last page and understand the essence of the story through the lens of the author, from her real-life experience and her struggle to carry on with her name. The detailed description of the Bengali family living in the United States, not leaving behind their culture and traditions, is well portrayed in this book. Of course, there is Bengali cuisine that will bring water to the reader's mouth. The parties hosted in the Bengali household also followed Gogol's family to the States, which in itself added warmth and showcased how traditions are attached to people.

Another aspect to mention about this book is the focus on the pet name. Readers will relate to it and enjoy reading it, as it is not only a Bengali tradition but also something most people experience, being born with pet names even before they see the light. It will remind them of their childhood days and stories they heard from their parents. There are not just flavors of food, but the flavors travel from Kolkata to the US and vice versa, depicting the importance of buying gifts for loved ones and leaving no stone unturned to make family happy. The emotional portrayal of heartbroken Gogol and the loneliness of his mother after his father's death is profound. Through these intimate details, the author constructs a deeply compassionate and relatable portrait of the immigrant experience.

While reading the book, it might feel like any other story exploring the lifestyle of a family and may appear monotonous at times, but the essence of it is understood when the author, in the Afterword, unveils her struggle because of her name. "A Matter of Spaces" holds the true reason that inspired the author to write this book.

This book is a thoughtful narrative for those who have been living away from their homes and have experienced loss, identity crisis, and love. It signifies how names, family histories, and cultural backgrounds shape us. It is a book that resonates long after the final page, leaving the reader with a feeling of deep understanding and an appreciation for the intricate pattern of human identity.

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