The Namesake

"The Namesake" by 'Jhumpa Lahiri' is simple yet extraordinary tale of an Indian bengali family, who has immigrated and settled in America. This book portrays the two generation's thought process, the difference and similarities between them, hardships of people who changed their nation. It also deals with many emotional aspects too like the craving for homeland, love, marriage, failing relationships etc. but the main theme of the book was identity and naming of the the protagonist. Ashoke Ganguli an intelligent young man was married to Ashima who is shown as an homemaker. They shifted in America just after their marriage. Ashoke being a working man got busy in his schedule and Ashima was left back, she crept to go her homeland. Though after sometime she started getting use to her life. The book opens with her pregnancy scene, she gave birth to a boy. Through her pregnancy journey to her labour pain ward she was shown comparing the particular place where they lived to India, which shows that she hasn't completely embraced US yet. And this isn't the end, throughout the book she has been shown comparing the nation where she lived to where she belonged. Her love and respect towards her homeland is something next level which will give a reader a jolt of rapture. Ashima and Ashoke though they have moved to abroad but they haven't forgotten their roots which is seen in the first half of the book itself. When their first child was born they were waiting for their grandmother's letter which has their child's name. Unfortunately the letter was lost and in an emergency they had to choose their child's name, 'Gogol'. And this very name gives turn to the story. Hereby this is the central theme of the book. The importance of this name in Ashoke's life discussed in the book is another interesting plot. Years later when Gogol grew up he was ashamed of his name and changed his name to 'Nikhil' and was happy with that until he came to know the importance of 'Gogol' in his father's life. He led his life the way he desired. He wasn't very fond of Indian culture and ritual. He found it extraordinary which made him try to escape from them. Later he learns through his hardships and failure what exactly life is about. Though it was too late for it. (It's a freaking human tendency we never care what we have) This book was a heart warming roller coaster ride for me. The plot was gripping, themes and characters were great and the most beautiful thing was the way it was presented. There will be several points in the book which will teach you good life lessons while reading this, like how we take our parents or loved ones for granted, another thing was we should never ever forget our roots where we come from, our identity cause that's what matter and many more things. In short it was a wholesome read. I would recommend this book to each and everyone out there. You won't regret even for a second once you start this masterpiece.

A thoughtful look a the life of an Indian woman and the experience of her family, including her children as she and her professor husband make a life in the USA. A sympathetic consideration of the challenges of growing up outside of mainstream culture in the US and an accurate portrayal of what for many it means "to be an American." Well written and highly enjoyable book.

Mir hat das Buch sehr gut gefallen. Die Sprache ist sehr gepflegt, die Beobachtungen feinfühlig, die Erzählung angenehm. Es passiert nicht viel in dem Buch, aber trotzdem kann man den Held der Geschichte, Gogol, sehr gut verstehen.

Excelente novela

映画もあるけどこの原作読むべきです。 帰国子女や帰化した人間にはその寄る辺のなさ、自分のあり方の不安定さがわかり、少し苦しくなるはず。 北米と日本で場所に違いはあれど、僕たちの気持ちの行方を少し考える機会になりました。