THE NAMESAKE BY JHUMPA LAHIRI

BOOK NAME: THE NAMESAKE

AUTHOR NAME: JHUMPA LAHIRI

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY FICTION 

PUBLISHER: HARPERCOLLINS

BOOK BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.in/Namesake-Jhumpa-Lahiri/dp/0007258917

BOOK COVER IMAGE

BOOK REVIEW

What's in a name? Does it even matter if you like your name or not? If you think it doesn't then hear me out. Gogol Ganguly, born to Ashoke and Ashima Ganguly - an immigrant couple in America from Calcutta, hates the name he was given in a hurry. Unlike his father, who has an emotional connection with the famous Russian writer Nikolai Gogol, he feels no bond with his name at all. He is often ridiculed for it, misspelt at times, leaving him feeling like a stranger in his homeland. And he hates it even more when he learns about the author's life in detail.

He isn't named American, which is not his problem; he isn't given a Bengali name either, which makes him hate it even more. His frustration grows towards his parents for naming him such, and he senses the growing distance between them every day. He is constantly depressed and terrified at the thought of being called Gogol at events, and though it is unique, it doesn't make him feel special. So, he decides to rename himself and rediscover himself as he grows up, but even after the name change, Gogol still feels like Gogol and not Nikhil. He realises that his new name hasn't stopped him from being Gogol for his family, and certainly, he isn't as ecstatic as he thought he would be. He realises that his former name is connected with his father and his home forever and even helps in demystifying his failing relationship with his wife. Finally, for Gogol, his former name becomes everything, even when he thought it wouldn't. But it's already too late. Now tell me, what's in a name? 

This book has travelled with me to more places and for a longer period than any other. Initially, I took my time moving through the pages as Ashoke and Ashima's lives were explored. I religiously carried the book everywhere so as not to miss their enchanting new life in Calcutta and America. As the book developed, more characters started coming in, and slowly and steadily, I realised it's more of an exploration of cultural shock, family dynamics and self-discovery.

As always, I hadn't read the blurb of this book, though it's hugely popular. I restrained myself from reading the reviews and went straight into it. I have to agree that the writing is impeccable, and it's so hard not to want to keep track of the Gangulys all the time. Even when I wasn't reading the book, I passively thought about Ashima and Ashoke from the back of my mind. I loved how the lives of Indian expatriates holding on to their cultural values and losing their children to new cultures were written precisely in minute detail. The story was more of a running commentary on the lives of the Gangulys, including every trivial detail, which made it both exhilarating and exhausting.

The only problem (it actually is not) I had was that I was expecting something to happen all the time while the story kept moving on further. Maybe my tiny bit of disappointment was because of the fact that I am old school and expected people's unfair behaviours to be scrutinised and punished then and there, which never happened. Perhaps that was because the story is just a reflection of reality, and I take it on myself for expecting such. This book closely reminded me of Anne Tyler's 'A Spool of Blue Thread', and I am glad that we have an Indian version of the writing with a fresh and insightful perspective. Do not miss out on this, especially if you are a Bengali or an expatriate.

MY REVIEW: 4/5 

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