A review by writersrelief
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
An epic family saga, an intimate personal journey, a thought-provoking exploration of identity and its many intersections: All of these phrases accurately describe Jhumpa Lahiri’s modern classic THE NAMESAKE. 
 
The namesake of the title, Gogol, is the son of Indian immigrants who have made a new life in the Boston suburbs. His father, an MIT professor and a devoted fan of the Russian author Nikolai Gogol, is a survivor of a devastating train crash. Since he was reading the short stories of Gogol at the time of the accident, he chooses to give his son this name. Gogol, for his part, struggles with this name and what it ultimately means for him. This journey of coming to terms with his identity as an Indian-American—and how it impacts his life as he grows up, attends college, and gets a job as an architect—is the beating heart of THE NAMESAKE. 
 
In addition to Gogol, Lahiri also dedicates chunks of the novel to the supporting characters (particularly Gogol’s parents), providing a lovely contrast in their experiences as immigrants. The amount of detail and psychology Lahiri invests in her characters makes them feel real and palatable. Lahiri’s prose is straightforward, sharp, clean, and precise; assuredly guiding the reader through years and decades in the lives of this family. 
 
At approximately 290 pages, THE NAMESAKE is a relatively brief book, but Lahiri’s writing and characters make it feel much more expansive and epic. Some readers may find the pacing too slow, but those who love character-driven stories will be thrilled by this book. 
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