The Namesake : A Novel (Paperback)

by Jhumpa Lahiri (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company Trade & Reference Division (2004)
• ASIN: B000OLK1ZE
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,124 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exploring Assimilation and Loss of Identity, May 5, 2009

By	Linda A. Slott "Ladyslott" (Oceanside, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Gogol Ganguli is The Namesake of the title of this book. A first generation American, born to Bengali parents, Gogol is named after a Russian author is father admires. The name was given to him as a temporary name, while is parents await a letter from home in which a grandmother will send with his true name. The letter never arrives and Gogol becomes a name that never seems to fit, just as Gogol himself never seems completely at home in America or on his frequent trips back to his parent's home country.

I really liked the use of language in this book, as well as the description of a culture and customs I don't know very well. The depiction of the children of immigrants who seem caught between two worlds was portrayed very well. At times I did find Gogol a hard person to like, but I did understand his confusion about who he was.

A very good story about the difficulties of assimilation and loss of identity, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Gogol and his family's trials and tribulations in America.

5.0 out of 5 stars entertaining and enlightening, July 4, 2009

By	kelly abdel (new york, ny) - See all my reviews

This book was highly entertaining not only for the story itself but also the cultural lesson ingrained within. The author easily showed how one's cultural norms doesn't have to be separate from that of the society (American) that one lives in but can be incorporated so that it may be more richer. I am not Indian, but I easily associated with many of the issues that Ms. Lahiri presents. The Namesake is highly recommended for both its entertainment value as well as its interesting cultural aspect. Enjoy!