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A review by sharanyaaguha
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book follows the story of Ganguli family for 35 years.
Ashoke and Ashmina Ganguli a married couple tied in arrange marriage move from Calcutta to Boston so that Ashoke can pursue a PhD in engineering. Away from the Bengali cultures and traditions, Ashima becomes homesick and tries to find friendship among the other Bengalis living around their area. Ashima soon becomes pregnant and according to the Bengali tradition Ashima's grandmother must name her son. But her letter never arrives, so Ashoke names their son "Gogol" after the Russian writer whose book saved his life during a train accident in India. Gogol and Sonali, his younger sister grow up in America. Their parents wants them to live a Bengali life but they are too consumed in the American culture, they barely remember their roots. They grow up and choose carrier paths that are not so "Indian". The story moves between Calcutta, Boston and New York City and perfectly captures the story of being caught between two highly different cultures with different traditions, ideologies and religional differences.
Being a Bengali myself, this book feels very personal.
'The Namesake' was later made into a movie by the same name. Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli were played perfectly by Late actor Irrfan Khan and actress Tabu. The movie did a perfect justice to the book.
Ashoke and Ashmina Ganguli a married couple tied in arrange marriage move from Calcutta to Boston so that Ashoke can pursue a PhD in engineering. Away from the Bengali cultures and traditions, Ashima becomes homesick and tries to find friendship among the other Bengalis living around their area. Ashima soon becomes pregnant and according to the Bengali tradition Ashima's grandmother must name her son. But her letter never arrives, so Ashoke names their son "Gogol" after the Russian writer whose book saved his life during a train accident in India. Gogol and Sonali, his younger sister grow up in America. Their parents wants them to live a Bengali life but they are too consumed in the American culture, they barely remember their roots. They grow up and choose carrier paths that are not so "Indian". The story moves between Calcutta, Boston and New York City and perfectly captures the story of being caught between two highly different cultures with different traditions, ideologies and religional differences.
Being a Bengali myself, this book feels very personal.
'The Namesake' was later made into a movie by the same name. Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli were played perfectly by Late actor Irrfan Khan and actress Tabu. The movie did a perfect justice to the book.