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reviewsmayvary's review
3.0
This author was recommended to me by a colleague at work. This story follows a boy, starting with his beginnings even before he was a beginning, with his parents in Bagladesh who move to the US before the boy is born. There is a mix up with his being named in the hospital and from then on he struggles to settling into the names he has been given.
I loved the writing and some of the characters, though the main character, through his life, motivated me to call him a dumb ass on several occasions. I liked this book for many reasons, but the central story is a little boring.
I loved the writing and some of the characters, though the main character, through his life, motivated me to call him a dumb ass on several occasions. I liked this book for many reasons, but the central story is a little boring.
johnaggreyodera's review
3.0
I made the mistake of reading this right after reading “The interpreter of all maladies”, and I’m afraid “The Namesake” simply couldn’t live up to that. I’ll give it more time to forget the other book, and hopefully then I’ll be able to give this book a more fair read.
niv7's review
3.0
Every story in this collection is finely-honed and unrelentingly, exquisitely detailed. I don't think I have anything to say that hasn't been said elsewhere already, including highly recommending it to any- and everyone. If my rating seems low compared to my review, it's only because I wasn't singularly or lastingly moved by any of these stories despite, in the moment, being swept up in each narrator's emotional journey. My favorite stories, the ones that came closest, individually, to making a lasting impression, were "Mr Pirzada" and "Sexy", and I loved Mrs. Croft as a character.
sarahjackman's review
5.0
This was the final book to read for my summer class. I hadn't really enjoyed the rest and wasn't excited about this one. I'd also read several "not great" books lately and was hoping to escape the slump, but the other class books didn't leave me hopeful.
Thankfully, this book proved to be exactly what I needed. The story was engaging, the characters relatable in ways I didn't expect.
Many layers to think about while reading, but also just a good book.
Likely going to try to find other other works.
Thankfully, this book proved to be exactly what I needed. The story was engaging, the characters relatable in ways I didn't expect.
Many layers to think about while reading, but also just a good book.
Likely going to try to find other other works.
massivepizzacrust's review
2.0
I was so bored by this book, bored by the characters making decisions that don't make them happy, and bored by them not talking to each other about their problems. Maybe it would have been a nice, slow book to read during a long summer but it just felt like a story I've already heard (and partially lived) and I really didn't need to read this.
athenalindia's review
4.0
I feel like this is a story I've seen before, but told with more nuance and aplomb than I'm used to. The story of a young man of immigrant parents adjusting to life as an American, stuck between two worlds, it feels like a staple of a certain kind of movie, one that includes its very own tropes, including parents who never adjust or understand. The Namesake, though, neatly sidesteps the stereotypes to come up with a more complex picture that both is and is not, that story.
Note: The rest of this review has been withheld due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
Note: The rest of this review has been withheld due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
caffeinatedbibliophile's review
3.0
This isn't a very long book, but it took me days to finish it because I just could not become engrossed in the story. I felt that there was a bit too much attention paid to minute details, and the story didn't really capture my attention very well. It was not a terrible book, but it was a bit of a dry read, in my opinion.
heyheybooks's review
3.0
3.5 stars. This book started off strong, and was quite excellent, but I began to lose interest when it repeatedly dwelled on Gogol’s romantic relationships, in which he loses himself into the life of his significant other, every single time. We pretty much know more about the women he’s dating than him, and it feels like he loses all personality. I can see how this ties into the theme of names and identity, but it went into a bit too much detail for too long of their daily lives, and was not as enjoyable or as interesting to read about. I would still definitely read more by Lahiri someday, as I really liked her writing in the first half.
terriep's review
3.0
This has been on my shelves for years.....it was - ok. Each short story is set in India or is about Indians. The stories are of everyday life, nothing dramatic happens, mostly I felt like each story made me sad. Not crying sad, but depressed, downtrodden, beat up sad. Sad lives lived in sad circumstances. And each story just ended. Like a person shuts a window....story over. Or eats a piece of candy in bed....story over. I'd much rather read a 600 page book than short stories.....just not my form I think.
bethecowgirl's review
I loooooooved this book I loved it. If it had been slightly less good this would be a more detailed review because I wouldn't have stayed up late to finish it but it wasn't so it isn't and I did!!