Comments on: Jhumpa Lahiri: Interpreter of Maladies

By: Trevor

Trevor — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:06:36 +0000

For those in the area, Jhumpa Lahiri is doing a reading tonight at the Barnes & Noble at Union Square, New York City, at 7:00 p.m.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:00:11 +0000

Thanks, Nadia! I’ll get over my fear of diluting my enjoyment of Lahiri, especially since that is unfair to her (and not rational anyway)!

By: Nadia

Nadia — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:00:58 +0000

Hi Trevor! I would definitely say that Lahiri is a short story writer – she just excels in that medium. Her novel, The Namesake, is a really good book, but the writing is not on the same level as her writing in Interpreter of Maladies. And I agree with Kevin, when I first read Unaccustomed Earth I did not think it was as good as Interpreter of Maladies. It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the stories and eventually I did, but in the end there were maybe two stories that I truly enjoyed reading. One of those stories was the first one in the book, titled Unaccustomed Earth, and the second story I liked was the last one in the book, which belongs to the section titled, Hema and Kaushik. I agree with Kevin again that this last section is not really a short story and should be a novella. I wish she had focused more on those two characters and written a series of short stories on them – that could have been interesting. Either way, I do think that The Namesake is worth reading, because there are some wonderful parts in it, but I do feel that Lahiri’s short stories are her strongest works. Enjoy it all Trevor!

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:25:36 +0000

I have and I quite liked it. While Maladies was mainly about the first generation experience (and includes as you note some stories set in the homeland), Unaccustomed Earth focuses on the second generation and the challenges they face. When I first read it, I didn’t think it was quite as good as the first volume — however, it is one of those books where memory is pushing stories forward quite significantly. Some readers have found the immigrant themes trying — I like the book specifically because of them, as that is what Lahiri knows best. The first story in particular (sorry, don’t remember the title and the book is not handy) I found especially good.

The last three stories in the new book are linked and, in my view, are best viewed as a novella. I have suggested elsewhere that people more comfortable with novels consider reading them first — given your interest in The Namesake, you might want to consider that. Frankly, once you are into the rhythm of the short stories, the three linked stories become almost disruptive.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:47:56 +0000

Did you read her new collection, Kevin? I have held it in hand but not delved into it at all yet.

I’m sure I’ll eventually get to The Namesake. For those of you who read it first, was it better than her short stories?

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:17:38 +0000

You raise an interesting question — I’d say Lahiri’s short stories are better than her novel, but then I met her first with Maladies, which means I regard her as a short story writer and maybe she is a better novelist that I think. Having said that, I deo think she is outstanding as a short story writer and this book is one of the best in the genre. I am intrigued at the various ways that authors explore the immigrant experience — Lahiri use this medium very effectively to do that.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:27:25 +0000

Do you recommend her other books, Nadia? One reason I never read The Namesake is because I frequently heard people say, “It’s good, but Lahiri is a better short story writer.” I have hesitated to dilute my reading of her with subpar work. But that’s not fair, and I know it! I’m sure I’ll get to her other stuff soon, right after I enjoy this one again.

By: Nadia

Nadia — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:00:09 +0000

I absolutely love this book of short stories. Lahiri is a brilliant writer! I’ve read her other two books and admit that this book is my favorite. I just love how her words allow me to enter these unique characters’ lives and smell their foods and taste their worries. Wonderful reading!!