Justin Cron Cron itibaren 25341 Nalec, Lleida, Spain
The Namesake is a great novel for first time immigrants, whatever background or ethnicity. It is a novel about adaptation to a new environment, and quite simply, it is about people who are living in an ever-changing world, and how their own lives change when it is required of them. Lahiri cleverly interweaves the story of two generations of family, one Bengali Indian, and one American born of Indian parents. Ashoke and Ashima are two lonely souls trying to make their way of life in the United States, a place where they can give their son, Gogol a chance for an opportunity to succeed. Gogol's name in itself is not Indian, but it is something that he struggles with as he goes throughout his life. His identity and his self worth is wrapped up in his name, a name his father named after his personal favorite Russian writer. When I first read the book, I was enchanted because of Lahiri's storytelling, but also because I felt like this novel reflected a lot upon me and my experiences here in the United States. As an Asian-American, I found similarities to the way Gogol thought, and similarities to way my parents are like Ashoke and Ashima. Lahiri's tone is somber throughout this book, subtly beguiling. But in the end, it is moving and beautiful, and it will be worth your read.
This one was just OK for me. Too short and not enough substance about the characters.
Agree with Courtney's review.