A review by nemastha
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

dark funny informative relaxing 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? Yes

3.25

This book was pretty good (I liked the pace at the beginning). As a child of an immigrant, I could relate to ALOT, But I think after a while, the pace of the book was a bit iffy? It was also kind of generic in terms on plot (I've watched/read things similar to this, so it wasn't something ENTIRELY different). I really liked the ending tho, I liked that in a way < that gogol did not really have the typical happy ending, but more so in the sense that he was starting to embrace WHO he was, and started to FINALLY go on this journey of learning more about himself by starting to READ the books made by Gogol, thought that part was beautiful!> I also kinda liked the motif of the name and its development throughout the book. Gogol is what SAVES his father, however in that way, Gogol is also a means to be accepted within his family. However by going into school, into this predominately white community, Gogol no longer wants to be accepted by his family but by the people around him (this development of Gogol being something Gogol himself hates- this internalized hatred). The name of Nikhil is interesting, as it allows Gogol to leave through the lens of someone else, and in that way shows the sacrifice of identity to be accepted). 

I also thought the arc with  Moushumi also interesting- this idea that she escaped to the french language to escape the suffocation standards of English and Bengali. Her character was complex, as it was stock in someway... Her relationship with Gogol didn't last because of their different interests.