Thomas's Reviews > The Namesake
The Namesake
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![2018505](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1567953607p2/2018505.jpg)
Beautiful debut novel about an Indian family moving to the United States and the trials and tribulations of letting go and holding onto certain parts of your culture, as well as the many forces that connect us and break us apart from one another. I found Jhumpa Lahiri’s prose exceptional, how she writes in an ordinary slice-of-life way while rendering such compelling characters with nuanced hopes and struggles. Whether writing about the specific cultural themes of resisting your immigrant parents’ culture in a new country or broader themes of falling in love and breaking up, Lahiri knows how to get a reader immersed and invested in the story’s narrative. There were a few passages throughout the novel where the characterization, especially of our protagonist’s parents, Ashoke and Ashima, as well as the dialogue between these characters, literally took my breath away – passages that reflected back to me how moments out of our control can shape our destinies irrevocably, how we can still create meaning in our lives even when separated from what makes us feel most known and cared for.
There were a couple of elements of the book that I wanted a deeper dive into. These aspects mostly focused on how Gogol, our protagonist, and a character we meet later on, Moushumi, feel driven away from their parents’ Bengali culture, perhaps more so Moushumi than Gogol later on in the novel. For some reason I found Lahiri’s description of this aspect of these characters rather simplistic. Especially for Moushumi, I wanted a more thorough and robust understanding and unpacking of what factors motivated her decisions that then affected Gogol later on in The Namesake. At the same time, as I write this I recognize my feelings about Moushumi may stem from how she reminded me of a man who once hurt me.
Overall recommended for those who enjoy contemporary fiction. Some stuff in my life happened within the past 36 hours that’s gotten me feeling pretty down so I’ve basically only had the energy to read. I appreciate this book and these characters for keeping me company at this low point.
There were a couple of elements of the book that I wanted a deeper dive into. These aspects mostly focused on how Gogol, our protagonist, and a character we meet later on, Moushumi, feel driven away from their parents’ Bengali culture, perhaps more so Moushumi than Gogol later on in the novel. For some reason I found Lahiri’s description of this aspect of these characters rather simplistic. Especially for Moushumi, I wanted a more thorough and robust understanding and unpacking of what factors motivated her decisions that then affected Gogol later on in The Namesake. At the same time, as I write this I recognize my feelings about Moushumi may stem from how she reminded me of a man who once hurt me.
Overall recommended for those who enjoy contemporary fiction. Some stuff in my life happened within the past 36 hours that’s gotten me feeling pretty down so I’ve basically only had the energy to read. I appreciate this book and these characters for keeping me company at this low point.
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Reading Progress
September 16, 2013
– Shelved
November 20, 2021
–
Started Reading
November 24, 2021
–
Finished Reading
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priya ☁️
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Nov 24, 2021 04:32AM
![priya ☁️](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1614252727p1/53734191.jpg)
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![Rebecca](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1714278466p1/12864096.jpg)
![Kartavya](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1668361529p1/109611686.jpg)
also, I hope you get enough space to process/accept your emotions, as much as you can at present. take care, Thomas :)
![Liz](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1705434213p1/92315467.jpg)
![QueenAmidala28](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1332685167p1/3389591.jpg)
![L.](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1634069459p1/12295096.jpg)
![hal](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1641435362p1/20582304.jpg)
Also I'm sorry to hear you're going through a rough time. Sending all the love to you, Thomas, I hope your pain eases soon <3
![Thomas](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1567953607p1/2018505.jpg)
Thanks so much Liz, these kind words mean a lot to me! Yes, right now I'm trying to be kind to myself about not being able to do certain things in my life however I do have the capacity to read and books are great company. :)
QueenAmidala28 wrote: "Sending u positive energy! U know your Goodreads crew always got your back! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾👍🏾 this book made me love JL. Her words, phrases and understanding of humans around the world is impressive. Make s..."
Yessss Lahiri's understanding of humans is so impressive! Your phrasing about my "Goodreads crew" made me feel warm and in the words of Twice, "special" so I appreciate you a lot. :) And I've read mixed to generally positive opinions of her works related to Italy so I'll def get to them eventually based on your recommendation!
Lubna wrote: "Thomas, I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling down, I hope things get better soon. Thank you for the excellent, insightful review, as usual."
These kind words mean so much to me, especially from someone such as yourself whose thoughts on books I value highly. Thank you for the well wishes; they do help me feel supported.
hal wrote: "It's been a while since I've read this one, but I think I agree with you on wanting more exploration into Moushumi's character and her motivations [spoilers removed]
Also I'm sorry to hear you're g..."
Yesss I felt so similar about that incident! I feel like Lahiri did a great job providing some initial characterization to explain Moushumi's decision, and at the same time I wanted more unpacking because I felt that there could have been more on top of that initial characterization. Also thanks so much for your compassionate words, they do help make me feel better during this trying time. :)
![Thomas](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1567953607p1/2018505.jpg)
yes it was a quality and meaningful read indeed! thank you, yes reading has been effective and kind self-care for myself. :)
Rebecca wrote: "I’d forgotten I’d read this book until I saw the details in your review. It’s been a long time. I think I read it when it came out, all those years ago."
Yeah I think this book came out when I was like nine years old! I decided to read it after reading her 2008 collection Unaccustomed Earth and loving it.
Kartavya wrote: "great to know your thoughts! and I too was a little disappointed with the book for the same reason: a lack of insight into the other characters' development as people.
also, I hope you get enough ..."
Yesss yay for a case of great minds thinking alike in regard to this book! Totally agree re: insight into the characters' development. Thank you, I am putting in a lot of energy into practicing self-care right now and it's generally working out! Even though I think things may get a bit worse before they get better I'm investing in empathy to myself and still receiving and giving support to those around me. :)