Scan barcode
gabberjaws's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What I loved most about this book was that Lahiri's writing is simple, but somehow rich and poetic at the same time. She has a knack for setting events up gently, and making the follow through feel so impactful and emotional, even though her narration is very simple and straightforward.
I felt privileged to follow along with the Gangulis; to see how they learned and grew and created traditions all their own, to see how the learned to love, accept, respect and understand one another despite their very different individual journeys. The story wavered a little towards the very end, with Moushumi's affair skewing the pacing a tad but overall, this was a great read.
The title of this book is a little misleading. This isn't a book about embodying your namesake, or about the power of names. Instead it's a beautiful, emotional documentation of one family's journey in learning what home means to them, and in finding themselves. It's a book about one's relationship with family and culture, the struggles of being known, and of knowing yourself. I'm so glad I read this.
CONTENT WARNINGS:
Death (chapter 1), Transphobia (a single instance of a certain outdated term for transgender people, now considered a slur, Chapter 5), Death of a parent (chapter 7), Deadnaming (chapter 9), Infidelity (chapter 10), Adult/Minor relationship (chapter 10)
I felt privileged to follow along with the Gangulis; to see how they learned and grew and created traditions all their own, to see how the learned to love, accept, respect and understand one another despite their very different individual journeys. The story wavered a little towards the very end, with
The title of this book is a little misleading. This isn't a book about embodying your namesake, or about the power of names. Instead it's a beautiful, emotional documentation of one family's journey in learning what home means to them, and in finding themselves. It's a book about one's relationship with family and culture, the struggles of being known, and of knowing yourself. I'm so glad I read this.
CONTENT WARNINGS:
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Deadnaming, Racism, and Transphobia
dariad123's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Deadnaming, Infidelity, Racism, Medical content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
angie99's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Lathered in beautiful words that will sweep you off your feet, The Namesake is a journey about Bengali-American Gogol Ganguli who struggles to accept his Russian first name and his Indian heritage laced in American culture. Through a series of pleasant and tragic events targeting the root of his insecurities, Gogol's uncomfortable disposition about himself, and his family's customs, captures the painful, yet liberating, human expedition to self-realization within a diverse, complicated world. I recommend this to anyone interested in immersing themselves in another culture and who is looking to enjoy well-written, round, realistic characters.
Graphic: Deadnaming, Infidelity, Racism, Death of parent, and Alcohol
caseythereader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Given that I'm extremely late to THE NAMESAKE party, you probably don't need a real review from me. I'll just say that this is such a beautiful, tender, sprawling book that carries you along its currents. Following the Ganguli family through their joys and heartbreaks was such a wonderful experience, and - as with every time I've joined @idleutopia_reads' #DiversifyYourBacklist buddy read group - I've been so grateful to Karen for getting me to pick up such a lovely book. I would have gladly read hundreds more pages of this story, and I'm looking forward to reading Lahiri's other works.
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Deadnaming
More...