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anistasiabelle 's review for:
Interpreter of Maladies
by Jhumpa Lahiri
Winner of the Pulitzer. I read the Namesake years ago and loved it but I never came back to read more from Ms. Lahiri. As with all collections of short stories, it’s good practice to review each story individually.
A Temporary Matter- Shoba and Shukumar are a married couple who have fallen away from each other after the death of a child. They try to find each other again in these 24 pages. (TW for infant loss.) 4*
When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine - As the name implies, there is a diner that joins a family for dinner every night. This is during the days of the Indian and Pakistani war, and the family connects with each other, watching the news from their countries. I love stories told from the perspective of children observing a world they don’t understand. It allows layers of subtle descriptions that provides complexity and depth. 5*
Interpreter of Maladies - Here we really get a strong cross-culture clash. The Das family who lives in the U.S. is visiting family in India, being chauffeured by an Indian man. They may have the same color skin, but that’s where the similarities end. The Das’ are so stereotypically American, it’s difficult not to cringe. Mr. Kapasi, the tour guide, becomes interested in Mrs. Das. He’s an interpreter for a doctor’s office “of maladies” 5*
A Real Durwan - this story tells about an older woman, Boori Ma who lives alone in an apartment building, quietly taking care of the tenants, who appreciate her until they don’t. This one was a rough one - I’m not sure what to make of it. 3*
Sexy - Miranda has an affair with a married Indian man, all the while listening to her coworker console her cousin, also Indian, the victim of spousal infidelity. This story was great, with its complex layers of culture, customs and learned empathy 5*
Mrs. Sen’s- Eliot has an Indian woman as a sitter. Another good perspective of a story told through the eyes of a child. 4*
This Blessed House - Twinkle and Sanjeev move into a new house that has multiple unusual treasures to find. I liked the layers of this one, where the two are learning to live with each other in the early stages of their arranged marriage. 4*
The treatment of Bibi Haldar - Bibi is the town outcast, but she’s also looked after and cared for. The “we” who wrote this story is never identified. 4*
Third and final continent - a single Indian man moves to London and then to Boston, experiencing culture shock in both. Additionally, he has an arranged marriage and helps her become accustomed to living in America. I love the layers and expanse this mere 20 page story takes. Quite impressive 5*
Overall a lovely collection. Easily can see why this won the Pulitzer.
A Temporary Matter- Shoba and Shukumar are a married couple who have fallen away from each other after the death of a child. They try to find each other again in these 24 pages. (TW for infant loss.) 4*
When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine - As the name implies, there is a diner that joins a family for dinner every night. This is during the days of the Indian and Pakistani war, and the family connects with each other, watching the news from their countries. I love stories told from the perspective of children observing a world they don’t understand. It allows layers of subtle descriptions that provides complexity and depth. 5*
Interpreter of Maladies - Here we really get a strong cross-culture clash. The Das family who lives in the U.S. is visiting family in India, being chauffeured by an Indian man. They may have the same color skin, but that’s where the similarities end. The Das’ are so stereotypically American, it’s difficult not to cringe. Mr. Kapasi, the tour guide, becomes interested in Mrs. Das. He’s an interpreter for a doctor’s office “of maladies” 5*
A Real Durwan - this story tells about an older woman, Boori Ma who lives alone in an apartment building, quietly taking care of the tenants, who appreciate her until they don’t. This one was a rough one - I’m not sure what to make of it. 3*
Sexy - Miranda has an affair with a married Indian man, all the while listening to her coworker console her cousin, also Indian, the victim of spousal infidelity. This story was great, with its complex layers of culture, customs and learned empathy 5*
Mrs. Sen’s- Eliot has an Indian woman as a sitter. Another good perspective of a story told through the eyes of a child. 4*
This Blessed House - Twinkle and Sanjeev move into a new house that has multiple unusual treasures to find. I liked the layers of this one, where the two are learning to live with each other in the early stages of their arranged marriage. 4*
The treatment of Bibi Haldar - Bibi is the town outcast, but she’s also looked after and cared for. The “we” who wrote this story is never identified. 4*
Third and final continent - a single Indian man moves to London and then to Boston, experiencing culture shock in both. Additionally, he has an arranged marriage and helps her become accustomed to living in America. I love the layers and expanse this mere 20 page story takes. Quite impressive 5*
Overall a lovely collection. Easily can see why this won the Pulitzer.