Reviews

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

quickolive32's review

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5.0

This book came out 20 years ago, when I was a freshman in high school. I wish I had read it then. Its like the author peered into the lives of children of immigrants and the lives of the immigrants themselves and created this book. There have been realizations I've had about myself and my parents over the years that are so beautifully described in here.

abhanana's review

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slow-paced

2.75

vickytumati's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

kah296's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The characters were so vivid and their complicated emotions and viewpoints felt so real!

angharadmiller's review

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funny reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rookeatsbooks's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

awellreadlady's review

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informative inspiring reflective relaxing 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

4.25

kaeleevincent's review

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4.0

Really enjoyed this book. Really nice writing, great tone, good pace (a bit slow at times, but nothing too major). Built up a great connection/investment in the characters. A really beautiful exploration of identity formation and how we seek to find ourselves in others.

casspro's review

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3.0

There is a certain poetry with Lahiri's words, but you have to sacrifice dialogue for the descriptions. I didn't find the book to be as list oriented (this happened and then this happened and then this happened again) as other reviewers critiqued. It's another take on the immigrant tale, with a added emphasis on the importance of names. Names define us, both those that we choose and those that are thrust upon us; this is the thread that holds the novel together.

waynediane's review

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5.0

I really enjoyed this book. The ending a little anti-climatic, but the story line and the writing very good. Very timely immigrant story of a family - traditions and generations growing up in America. Writing style very easy reading!