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book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Lahiri once again focuses on the immigrant experience, specifically Bengalis living in New England or the Middle Atlantic states. Her stories are perfect snapshots of people’s lives. They are unique to their experience, yet universal in their reactions to what happens to them. Therefore, the reader, even though not of the same ethnic group, can easily identify with her characters. Who hasn’t suffered the loss of a loved one? Or been disappointed in love? Or questioned a career choice (or major field of study)? That she is able to speak so directly to her readers, transcending our differences, is a measure of her gift. Her writing is elegant, emotional, haunting, profound, distressing and beautiful.
Sarita Choudhury and Ajay Naidu do a great job of reading these short stories for the audio book format. Their alternate performance follows Lahiri’s plan is using a female or a male narrator. I never had any trouble keeping the characters straight. This alternating voice was particularly helpful in the last three stories, which are linked, following two characters through several decades of their infrequently connected lives.
Sarita Choudhury and Ajay Naidu do a great job of reading these short stories for the audio book format. Their alternate performance follows Lahiri’s plan is using a female or a male narrator. I never had any trouble keeping the characters straight. This alternating voice was particularly helpful in the last three stories, which are linked, following two characters through several decades of their infrequently connected lives.
hrtk's review against another edition
3.0
The first story had me really hopeful: this might be a great book! After suffering thorough the last two stories I really wanted to give this two stars.
IMNSHO Lahiri should have only published the first two or three stories.
IMNSHO Lahiri should have only published the first two or three stories.
qnawal97's review against another edition
5.0
Jhumpa Lahiri does it again and makes my heart wrench and find bittersweet relatabilities in every short story in this book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as I enjoy reading all her work. Lahiri has a poignant way of perfectly describing the complexities of relationships in one chapter. This book was no exception with the focus being on families. I thought her distinct style of basing each chapter on a different arrangement of characters and story and then having the last third of the book dedicated to two specific characters and their life stories weaved together was very unique and was a great finale to a very heavy and emotionally dense novel.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
Lahiri is a master of the short form. It is incredible to me how much she can fit in a short story. Some of these were better than others for me, and some of them delightfully intertwined.
shutupdivs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
this book left me emotionally scarred lmao
'Hell-Heaven' was my favorite story in this compilation until i read 'Hema and Kaushik'. something about Lahiri's writing style is SO homely and familiar, while at the same time she makes observations about mundane life that would generally escape my notice. i trust her to write books that unconsciously float in your memory, strengthened by the sheer melancholy. this book made me fall in love with the solemnity and sobreity of the short story.
'Hell-Heaven' was my favorite story in this compilation until i read 'Hema and Kaushik'. something about Lahiri's writing style is SO homely and familiar, while at the same time she makes observations about mundane life that would generally escape my notice. i trust her to write books that unconsciously float in your memory, strengthened by the sheer melancholy. this book made me fall in love with the solemnity and sobreity of the short story.
martine_01's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
alice_wonders's review against another edition
4.0
A great second collection of short stories by Pulitizer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri. It all wraps up nicely in the end.
moment2shine's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful moving book. I didn't want it to end. She is a write for people who simply love to read!
ravenclaw_demigod7's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a beautiful collection of short stories written in the signature Jhumpa Lahiri style. A particular favourite of mine is 'Hell Heaven'.