Rating: 
Summary: A fine novel about a transplanted Bengali family
Review: In THE NAMESAKE, Pulitzer Prize winning author Jhumpa Lahiri's first novel, the characters are always hungry: for a place to call home, for family, for love, and, of course, for food. Ashima, in an arranged marriage to Ashoke Ganguli, misses her native India as she sets up house far from her family in Massachusetts, a land of bleak winters that her family will never know, much less understand. Making Bengali food out of American substitutes, she searches desperately for the comfort of her childhood. Time gradually pulls her away from the past, and she learns the ways of America, becomes friends with other transplanted Bengalis, and begins a family. A quiet affection develops between Ashima and Ashoke as they raise their two children, oddly-named Gogol and his sister Sonia. The novel lovingly follows the family through decades of heartache and celebrations. Gogol is the novel's center and its primary perspective, the namesake of the title. Although he does not know it until much later in life, Gogol is named after the Russian author not because, as he is told at first, Gogol is his father's favorite writer but because a copy of Gogol's short stories saved Ashoke's life after a train wreck. To Ashoke, the name of Gogol signifies a beginning, survival, "everything that followed" the horrific night spent in the rubble. This idea is the heart of the novel; as immigrants the Gangulis must look forward to what lies ahead instead of what is past. In America, Ashima and Ashoke are reborn, just as their children must find their own paths. Rich with detail and infused with affection, this novel has a lyricism that brings the Gangulis' world to life without exoticism. The description of food - Indian, French, American - is so exactly decadent that one should not read this book hungry. The only thing this wonderful novel suffers from is a neatly-wrapped nostalgia in the final chapter. Despite this minor flaw, I highly recommend this novel for a wide readership. Only those who desire strongly plotted fiction should be disappointed. (4.5 stars)
Rating: 
Summary: Jhumpa Lahiri did it again!
Review: After reading Interpreter of Maladies, I wondered if she could write such a sensitive, exceptional book a second time. This shows what a prolific writer she is. She captures the dilemma and all of the emotions that go with people who must deal with 2 cultures---and how some do it better than others. Her characters are so richly described in terms of their inner quandries. I loved how Gogol and Mo both dallied with what they thought symbolized the "American culture" by befriending people who were very into the finer things of life, but with no inner soul. This book is about the inner soul, and the prices we pay for what we deem important. Mo was such an interesting and tragic character. Bravo!!
Rating:
Summary: Another great book from Jhumpa in simple prose
Review: I looked forward to reading Jhumpa's second novel after having read her first one. Jhumpa is able to write in simple lucid prose the many trials and tribulations the Asian Indian immigrants and their offsprings go through in the U.S. Jhumpa is one of the rare writers who does not play with big words but her style is simple and endearing. It is like an adult telling a bed time story to another adult. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and all Asian Indian immigrants and their offsprings will be able to identify themselves with the characters in this book. All the characters are very well etched in this book and Jhumpa is able to bring out minute details in her characters. Well done Jhumpa.
Rating: 
Summary: absolutely depresssing and badly written
Review: hey, I'm fourteen I love Jhumpa Lahiri's post-modernist vioce under normal circumstances, but this book, I must say, was a major disappointment. She put more emphasis on the most uneeded details (too much, if you notice, on the FOOD) and on important points of the book she was very annoyingly naturalistic. I know that realism/naturalism combined is her style but it was over doing it quite a bit. The book didnt evem focus as much on the name than it did on Gogol's doomed love affairs. I think LAhiri should stick to short fiction, it felt as if she had to drag herself to finish this book with had no plot and no turning point whatsoever. IT was a blank narration that lacked pizzaz and that extra versimilitude that is required in books like these. And I also ackowlege most of LAhiri's stories' ambiance is that of malaise and depression all hushed into the narrator's overpowering vioce. IT is quite a talent. But the book was so....BORING!
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: After enjoying Ms.Lahiri's "Interpreter of Maladies", I was really looking forward to her next book. And this book is totally wort the wait. The story is a sweat, sad & an emotional roller coaster. Having myself immigrated to US 2 yrs back, I could put myself into Gogol's shoes immediately. Having struggled with my own peculiar name, I can see through Gogol's emotions when changed his name from Gogol to Nikhil. The story made me think back at my own life, how desperately I have been trying to fit myself to the American way of life, the growing distance between me and my parents. I also became frustrated with Ashima's character. Why cant she find anything positive in this beutiful country? Then, Is she in America just because she got married to Ashoke and didn't have a choice? [sigh..]This reminds me of the arguments I have with my mom who is back in India. Though the characters are Indian, the story is universal. Its a simple story of emotions of a immigrant family, the struggle of the identity in a new society. I find the story extremely fascinating and its a worth a read even if you are an American.
Rating:
Summary: A must-read!
Review: I read this book after attending a reading and book signing by Jhumpa Lahiri. After hearing the author read a passage from the book, I was completely captivated and drawn into the beauty of her words and descriptions. I felt an immediate connection with the characters and their emotions and bought the book the following day.
The namesake is an intimate look into the lives of a Bengali family who have settled into America. Being of Bengali origin myself (much like the author's background I was born in London, spent much time in India and live in the US), I felt compassionate and curious in identifying with the characters. I felt this book gave me a deeper insight into my family, and my own feelings of being raised in two cultures. It is evident that Jhumpa writes from her own experiences and accute observation of other Bengalis since much of this book is true to life. This book brought out an array of emotions within me, there are times I laughed out loud and at times when I was moved to tears, unable at any point to put this book down. The author's words flow beautifully, and there is nothing superficial or strained about her writing. There is a simplicity and innocence within the pages, that I felt very drawn to.
I have read this book twice now, and got the audiobook for my husband. I would reccomend the book over the audio version since the reader misprounounced some Bengali words and names, and forced different accents and voices, that distracted me. Nevertheless this is a beautiful book, on human relations, family ties, identity and the quest to find one's place in the world.
Rating: 
Summary: From an Indian American
Review: I have to say I was disappointed with this book. Though Lahiri's style is an elegant one, I found myself angered with her portrayal of young Indian Americans. Her characters reject the culture long after the 'high school rejection' years. Not many Indian Americans are that way. Though it's fiction, she portrayed first generation Indians as selfish instead of, how many of us are, embracing families yet still being independant. We have found a better way to live with the cross cultures and not so cruelly reject our heritage and families.
Rating:
Summary: What a Novel
Review: The Namesake is not just a great first novel but a great novel. After winning the Pulitzer for her first book,a collection of short stories,entitled Interpreter of Maladies, it seems Jhumpa Lahiri was born to write.
Without going into details of plot The Namesake is simply wonderful and entrancing. Most of the characters aren't particularly nice ( and indeed Gogol is rather shallow ) but what happens to them draws you straight in. Jhumpa is an excellent prose stylist. Her descriptions, for example of architectural details, can be quite stunning.
I enjoyed The Namesake so much I had to read the original Gogol's The Overcoat. That too was worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Satisfying
Review: The premise: a man follows a stranger's advice to live large and, together with his new wife in an arranged marriage, immigrates from India to the U.S. and raises a son and daughter. The novel follows the man (Ashoke) as he provides a life for his family; his wife (Ashima) as she resists that life and endures an overwhelming sense of displacement; and their son (Gogol) as he struggles to become comfortable in his own skin. These characters tell a universally appealing story; they are not solely Indian but rather are fully developed humans rendered intensely sympathetic to the reader. And it's a bonus when the story allows us to peek into East Indian culture and gain a new perspective. Written almost entirely in narrative, this novel contains little dialogue and few dramatized scenes. Yet the prose lets us see everything, and the choice of words and phrases evokes a setting that's a little slower, a little gentler (a little more Indian?) than modern-day USA. I did become frustrated with Ashima's pervasive perspective that everything good was back in India. Then why are you in America, I wondered, Can you find nothing positive here? I felt protective of my country and angry with her for the negativity that undoubtedly leaked all over her family. But in the end, what a strong lesson from her about living (or refusing to live) in the present moment. Interestingly, [sigh...] Now I've thoroughly enjoyed "The Namesake" and "Interpreter of Maladies" and must be patient for Jhumpa Lahiri's next work.
Rating:
Summary: A Novel with a Short Story Style
Review: This was one of the best books I have read recently. After reading Ms. Lahiri's first book, Interpreter of Maladies, I was looking forward to reading this book. If her first book was deserving of the pulitzer prize then this book certainly meets those expectations and deserves many accolades. The author uses the same short story flare to create a capturing and turnpaging novel. The characters are developed so quickly, and the reader gets to know so much about them within a short time. I got connected to all the characters in some manner as soon as I encountered them. It is a touching novel with a lot of twists and turns. I just could not wait to find out what would happen next with the main character Gogol. The ending is surprising and also made me think about the whole story. I am not going to give it away, so you have to read it in order to find out what happens :) I look forward to her next book.
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