A review by asquared92
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

3.0

I found this book very thought provoking and intriguing. The author weaved an incredible story about what it meant and how it felt to be both a first generation American and an immigrant in a country and culture vastly different from the one in which they were raised. Jhumpa introduced compelling and moving characters who grappled with their identity for much of the book. I loved how the author portrayed each perspective so authentically and understandably. While my family is of Italian descent, I can imagine some of the feelings and reactions to America mirrored that of Gogol and his families. I connected with the characters and the story on a personal level because of that. Gogol’s journey to find himself and the way in which that journey and those emotions stirred him affected his relationships in an incredibly flawed and human way. The ending did feel a bit abrupt. I didn’t like how Gogol’s story felt unfinished.