Well guys its been nearly a year since I wrote anything on my favorite site, so my request is please go easy on my mistakes and hope my comeback is as enjoyable as my debut was....
well, THE NAMESAKE is a book which I had wanted to read but never got my hands on one.Now even a film is being made on the book by MIRA NAIR(Monsoon Wedding ) fame. first of all it was expensive for me to buy it outright, and eventhough sometimes when I made up my mind to buy it it was never available..So finally when I got it as a gift from one of my friends I was overjoyed...And well, the important question is did the book live up to my expectations...My answer is yes and no....YES because it really is an engrossing novel and I completed it in one sunday with breaks in between...NO beacuse I feel at some places the author loses her grip and the reader starts feeling a bit detached from the proceedings
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THEME
well the book tells the story of Indian immigrants GANGULIS from BENGAL in USA and the story spans from 1968 to 2002.It tells how the first generation immigrants face an identity crisis..And how their parents cant let go of their roots and their culture....It also tells the story of GOGOL who tries to find sense in his namesake, and his transformation from GOGOL to NIKHIL..
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WHERE THE BOOK SCORES:
the book hasnt got a sensational plot or a thrilling ending or exciting turn of events...its the manner in which the book has been writen that holds your interest..The author has described the events happening in the book in such a manner that you can easily relate to them.For example GOGOL and SONALI feel uncomfortable visiting INDIA and I am sure its not diiferent from that experienced by my cousins when they visit us from CANADA.Also you feel the sadness which GOGOL feels at his father’s demise, his reasons for changing his name, irritation at his parents and you can relate to his mind set most of the times...also you can relate to ashimas emotions and even her journey from being a scared and lonely housewife to a confident mother of two who still yearns for India..
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THE VERDICT
I feel the book is a must read and I am eagerly awaiting for the film as well...Its always exciting to watch a film based on a book.... Also JHUMPA LAHIRI is author to watch out for and now want to get my hands on the award winning book of hers. The BENGALIS obviously are going to love it..Be it immigrants or Indians....I dont completely agree with SUYOG, that you cant rlate to the book if you arent an immigrant , its just in some cases where you feel you cant relate to the principal characters..So go GET IT!!!!