A review by abhireadingnotes
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

5.0

I read this book at a time in my life when I was going through some experiences that were similar to the ones the main characters experienced in this book. I recently lost my father and was a South Asian immigrant in North America. Gogol, Ashoke, Sonia and Ashima reminded me of my family and our experience building a life in the middle east. My father immigrated in the 1970's and then my mother moved there in the 1990's. I was born in 1993 and my sister was born in 1990. We grew up with a steady diet of Bollywood, Indian Functions and Cricket. We visited India once every year. This kept us rooted or we believed it did. This book helped me understand that home is the people and not the place. We identify the idea of home with memories related to the people we love and cherish. Our parents have had interesting and important lives before they became our parents. It is important to accept and acknowledge those parts of their identities as much as we accept their roles as our guardians and protectors. Gogol was rebellious towards his parents and their beliefs at the start of the book. He slowly came to accept his parents stories as he grew older and experienced life himself as an adult. He realized that he needed to find a sense of home in himself before he can find it in the people he loves. Ashima also develops a sense of independence and grows tremendously through this book. She moves to a new country, builds a life, starts a new career and raises two amazing children. Ashoke strives hard to provide for his family and also presents a strong emotional front even with all the difficulties he faced and experienced as an immigrant. Each character shows nuance. This book explored the journeys of immigrants and the lasting impact of that first journey on the next generation that calls a new country home. We all have cultural and familial roots that need to be peeled and understood if we want to make sense of our place and identity in the world. Gogol who became Nikhil demonstrated that gradual curiosity by peeling back several parts of his story that included his childhood, his parents backgrounds, his professional identity and his cultural identity. Through Nikhil's journey we also get to reflect and think about our own identity and place in the world. A highly engaging read! A great way to start the new year.