Jhumpa Lahiri was born in London to Bengali parents and then raised in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA.
Lahiri's mother wanted her children to grow up knowing their Bengali heritage, and her family often visited relatives in Calcutta (now Kolkata)
After winning the Pulitzer Prize for her first book, the collection of short stories The Interpreter of Maladies, published in 1999, and publishing three other books (The Namesake, Unaccustomed Earth and The Lowland), she decided to move to Rome and begin writing in Italian.
IN OTHER WORDS: Published 2014
Diann found the setting out of this book made it difficult and disruptive to read, with every alternate page being in Italian. She thought the author was reflecting on the difficulty of learning another language.
Pat mentioned that it was the author’s 4th novel and it was more about her thoughts and meditations.
Prue’s first comment was that much of the author’s fiction is autobiographical. She was already bi-lingual but wanted to learn and live another language. She has a gift for languages and her choice of words is beautiful. The book is a reflection on the process of learning Italian.
Prue enjoyed reading it, although it was not her usual choice of style.
THE NAME SAKE: Published 2004
Connie found this an easy read about a newly married couple from Calcutta who move to America for the husband to take up a scholarship. Although it is an arranged marriage, they do grow to love one another.
But the wife finds life in America very difficult and in Connie’s opinion, didn’t make any effort to change or adapt to the culture there.
The clash of cultures and generations is evident when they must choose a name for their newly born son.
Ed explained the reason for his unusual name (Gogol) and the burden this put on him. As the son grows up he is constantly in conflict with his parents about his lifestyle. He wants to live the ‘American way’.
Kris enjoyed the book and was particularly interested in the differences in the cultures between not just the two countries, but the different generations.
Julia loved it! It was a very different type of story from that she usually reads.
Jo also expressed surprise that she liked it from page 1!
INTERPRETER OF MALADIES: Published 1999
This book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2000 (Book of 9 short stories)
Judy J really enjoyed all the stories and the settings, both in America but particularly in India. The themes were varied from loneliness, arranged marriages, sadness of a still birth, infidelity and the difficulty of life in India. The characters were so well written and the endings were not always happy ones.
Wendy had also read this book and was particularly enamored with it. Her favourite was the Interpreter of Maladies, where the tourist guide is driving an American/Indian family around for the day. Because of his good English, his other job is to interpret for the local doctor. Delightful story.
Lyn had a very different opinion of the book. While preferring to read a full length novel, these stories didn’t interest her, so she only read a couple.
THE LOWLAND: Published 2013
Joan outlined the story of two brothers in Calcutta, born 15 months apart who have always been very close but have contrasting personalities and their lives go in very different directions.
The younger joined the Naxalite movement, a rebellion waged to eradicate inequity and poverty, while the older brother moves to USA to continue his studies.
When his brother is killed by the police, he returns to look after and marry his widow and raise their young child.
Joan described her writing style as straightforward, her characters very realistic and the background of Calcutta and USA was detailed and accurate. Wonderful book.
Tam also loved the book, especially the descriptions of Indian culture and the traditional life style. There were also themes of forgiveness, isolation and tragedies large and small.
It was terrific read that she couldn’t put down.
WHEREABOUTS: Published in 2018
Judy A read the author’s latest book, which she had first written in Italian and later translated into English. It tells of a lonely 40s unnamed woman in an unnamed city and university in Italy.
The language is beautiful but there is nothing to the story, no plot.
Judy thought that these ‘internal’ novels can be aimless and exceedingly tedious to read.
Reminder for next month: Topic is Air Fiction. Books can be either fiction or non-fiction.
We will also be celebrating Christmas in July with lunch at
the café just outside the library, “The Hidden Hive”. All welcome.
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