The Namesake

Read and reviewed: May 7, 2022

Wow, just finished chapter 1. As soon as I started reading it, I could not put it down. Her writing is so pleasant, and the scenes and characters so tangible. I knew of her famous book, Interpreter of Maladies, but I'm happy I started with The Namesake instead.

Finished chapter 2. I have a feeling this is only the beginning of bad news...

I am halfway through it and I recommend it! I just cannot wait to have time this evening to make more progress! It is well written, I completely root for the characters and I want to know what happens later in their lives

So, my final thoughts: Lahiri published the Interpreter of Maladies (collection of short stories) before The Namesake, but The Namesake is still technically her first novel, and I am quite impressed by its quality! It is so immersive and I couldn't wait to have time in my day to go back to it. The ending was not as good, a little bit too stretched out, and at that point I just wanted the story to end and start a new book. It could have been just a few pages shorter on the last chapter. I like that her mom decides to sell the house, and to live half of the year in India, and half of the year in the US. It makes sense. Same with the relationship between Gogol and Moushumi, which was simply not a good match. I was so sad when Gogol and Max broke up! They were a good fit and they were so happy together. But it's true that he was quite dependent on her family, that it was not balanced. And I understand how she felt rejected when he refused for her to join him during his dad's funeral in Calcutta, even for moral support. But at the same time, he was not good that she pushed Gogol to ““move on”” and go skiing to feel better, instead of asking him what he needed at that time. It was complicated... In the end, I enjoyed following their lives, and the book came to a natural end, which was satisfying. No happy ending was fine with me. I will add more Lahiri books on my TBR, she is a good writer! 3.5