The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri, tells the story of Gogol Ganguli, an American-born boy whose parents immigrated to the United States from Calcutta, India. Growing up in the United States, Gogol becomes increasingly aware of the cultural differences among his family and those of his friends at school. The greatest struggle this young man faces is his uncommon name, which he finds childish and unprofessional sounding. As Gogol moves into highschool, dating, and eventually his career, the author masterfully describes Gogol’s struggle between the heritage his parents hold dear and his own longing to be “normal” like everyone else. He eventually has his name legally changed, hurting his parents but liberating him to become a new, confident young man. However, this alteration does not bring Gogol, now called Nikhil, the ultimate happiness he desired, and his journey continues. Jhumpa Lahiri paints a wonderful picture of love, challenges, perseverance, cultural distinction, and self-discovery, and her novel is difficult to put down. The story is told from Gogol’s point of view in the third person, giving it a personal feel and allowing the reader to truly experience the story for him or herself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about real-life, decision making, and romance.

Jhumpa Lahiri's Homepage: http://www.randomhouse.com/kvpa/jhumpalahiri/

By: Sarah Hill