Ever since I heard of this book, I could not wait to lay my hands it. I recently received it and took to reading it immediately. In plain simple words: I loved it! I could not put it aside. Even though it was a collection of eight short stories, I wanted to read them all one after the other. In this book, as in her previous works Jhumpa Lahiri chronicles the stories of Bengali immigrants in the Northeast of US. All her stories reflect the pain and loneliness experienced by Indian immigrants on the US soil. The struggles of the immigrants and their offspring to survive and flourish in a new country is depicted beautifully. Although at times too dramatic, the feelings are only too real. The book begins with a quote from Nathaniel Hawthorne, "Human nature will not flourish, any more than a potato, if it be planted and replanted, for too long a series of generations, in the same worn-out soil. My children have had other birthplaces, and, so far as their fortunes may be within my control, shall strike their roots into unaccustomed earth." Lahiri herself a Bengali immigrant, born in London and raised in the US echoes the very sentiments. At times her stories challenge Hawthorne's views, and question if such a transplantation strengthens a plant or weakens it. Her stories depict that the place to which individuals feel the strongest ties isn’t necessarily the country they belong to by birth or lineage. But the place which helps them gain an identity and makes them who they are. And this place might not even have a geographical existence.
Her stories are not just for immigrants, the emotions portrayed are universal and felt by all. I am certain you will not be disappointed. Her stories and the characters stick out to you, and you will not easily forget them. I loved them all greatly and my favorite is the title story, Unaccustomed Earth. For all our sakes I hope Ms. Lahiri will keep more coming our ways. Do pick up a copy when you get a chance. Get ready for a journey from Cambridge to Seattle to Rome to India and Thailand. I know I am ready for a second visit.
PS: In case you haven't read her older releases, Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake, please read them as well.
It could be the story of any immigrant; need not be across national boundaries but in a culturally varying country like India it could be across "State Boumdaries" or every few 1000 miles. The only solace is people atleast are teh same color as you, and teh feeling of "My" Country that keeps you going. Must be a good read.
ReplyDeleteI am eager to read it. Too many movies around fancy "Desi" stories. Real perspective is required sometimes before jumping to conclusions..Will get this soon
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading my post. I am sure you both are not anonymous to me, must be two of my lazy friends, too lazy to sign in to write the comment.
ReplyDeletePS: Here's an idea.. you need not sign in but put your name at the bottom of your comment :)