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A review by gordiedev
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
5.0
Jhumpa Lahiri's Pulitzer Prize winning, short story collection, Interpreter of Maladies, is a compelling set of ethno-centric compositions highly evocative of the Indian and Indian-American experience. Although slightly uneven in effectiveness, the stories' strengths are their fantastic character development, engaging plots, and marvelous use of language.
Ratings and reviews for the individual stories:
A Temporary Matter - 4 stars
The electricity will be off for an hour in the evening over the next five days at the home of Shoba and Shukumar, creating an opportunity for them to reconnect and heal their floundering marriage. Charming and uplifting.
When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine - 5 stars
Young Lilia tries to make sense of her father's attitude toward Mr. Pirzada, Bangladeshi (formerly Pakistani) expat, who is offered tempered hospitality during the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence in order to watch news of the war on the TV in Lilia's home. Fabulous character study within a beautifully melancholy tale.
Interpreter of Maladies - 4 stars
Mr. Kapasi hires out as a driver and interpreter for first-born Indian-Americans, Mr. And Mrs. Das, who have returned to India with their children to introduce them to their ancestral home, during which Mrs. Das reveals a secret to Mr. Kapasi, hoping he can offer wisdom as to how best to relieve her guilty conscience. Some of this collection's least beloved, yet highly compelling characters.
A Real Durwan - 5 stars
Boori Ma, aged woman who finds her place by sweeping the stairs of the four-story building in which she finds refuge on the roof, interacts with the tenants as their unofficial durwan, or porter. When the landlord and tenants wish to improve the building's prestige, Boori Ma learns that "job security" is a flimsy concept. An insightful look into culture, class, and gender roles.
Sexy - 4 stars
Miranda's affair with married Dev begins to lose its lustre as she contemplates the gossip about the philandering husband of a co-worker's cousin. A well-done Indo-spin on a tale from any culture.
Mrs. Sen's - 5 stars
11-year-old Eliot is watched by Mrs. Sen, in the home she and Mr. Sen established when they immigrated to the U.S. for his University job. Mrs. Sen hasn't truly adjusted, and misses the life they had in Calcutta. During their many months together, Eliot tends to Mrs. Sen as much as she tends to him. Deeply touching story of generational interaction utilizing wonderful characters.
This Blessed House - 4 stars
Sanjeev's new wife, Twinkle, develops an unusual attachment to the Christian objects discovered in their new home as they settle in, perplexing him over their arranged marriage and this relative stranger he now calls, "wife". An engaging story with terrific characters that lands a bit softly.
The Treatment of Bibi Haldar - 5 stars
The young brides of her town sympathize with spinster-in-the-making, Bibi, and urge her relatives to ready her as a prospective bride to cure her of her debilitating longing for someone who'll love her. Her cousin's refusal to be helpful results in a terrific tale of karma. Although you cheer for Bibi to achieve her dream and prove her cousins wrong, she's a cloying character whose triumph is nonetheless as richly deserved as it is perplexing.
The Third and Final Continent - 5 stars
A man remembers his immigration to Cambridge and the first attachment he formed there before his newly arranged wife joins him during the summer of 1969. This story glows with beautiful characters, beautiful sentiment, beautiful prose.
Ratings and reviews for the individual stories:
A Temporary Matter - 4 stars
The electricity will be off for an hour in the evening over the next five days at the home of Shoba and Shukumar, creating an opportunity for them to reconnect and heal their floundering marriage. Charming and uplifting.
When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine - 5 stars
Young Lilia tries to make sense of her father's attitude toward Mr. Pirzada, Bangladeshi (formerly Pakistani) expat, who is offered tempered hospitality during the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence in order to watch news of the war on the TV in Lilia's home. Fabulous character study within a beautifully melancholy tale.
Interpreter of Maladies - 4 stars
Mr. Kapasi hires out as a driver and interpreter for first-born Indian-Americans, Mr. And Mrs. Das, who have returned to India with their children to introduce them to their ancestral home, during which Mrs. Das reveals a secret to Mr. Kapasi, hoping he can offer wisdom as to how best to relieve her guilty conscience. Some of this collection's least beloved, yet highly compelling characters.
A Real Durwan - 5 stars
Boori Ma, aged woman who finds her place by sweeping the stairs of the four-story building in which she finds refuge on the roof, interacts with the tenants as their unofficial durwan, or porter. When the landlord and tenants wish to improve the building's prestige, Boori Ma learns that "job security" is a flimsy concept. An insightful look into culture, class, and gender roles.
Sexy - 4 stars
Miranda's affair with married Dev begins to lose its lustre as she contemplates the gossip about the philandering husband of a co-worker's cousin. A well-done Indo-spin on a tale from any culture.
Mrs. Sen's - 5 stars
11-year-old Eliot is watched by Mrs. Sen, in the home she and Mr. Sen established when they immigrated to the U.S. for his University job. Mrs. Sen hasn't truly adjusted, and misses the life they had in Calcutta. During their many months together, Eliot tends to Mrs. Sen as much as she tends to him. Deeply touching story of generational interaction utilizing wonderful characters.
This Blessed House - 4 stars
Sanjeev's new wife, Twinkle, develops an unusual attachment to the Christian objects discovered in their new home as they settle in, perplexing him over their arranged marriage and this relative stranger he now calls, "wife". An engaging story with terrific characters that lands a bit softly.
The Treatment of Bibi Haldar - 5 stars
The young brides of her town sympathize with spinster-in-the-making, Bibi, and urge her relatives to ready her as a prospective bride to cure her of her debilitating longing for someone who'll love her. Her cousin's refusal to be helpful results in a terrific tale of karma. Although you cheer for Bibi to achieve her dream and prove her cousins wrong, she's a cloying character whose triumph is nonetheless as richly deserved as it is perplexing.
The Third and Final Continent - 5 stars
A man remembers his immigration to Cambridge and the first attachment he formed there before his newly arranged wife joins him during the summer of 1969. This story glows with beautiful characters, beautiful sentiment, beautiful prose.