I can't remember what movie I must constantly watch that has the
trailer for the movie The Namesake, which is based upon Jhumpa
Lahiri's book of the same name, but every single time I saw the
trailer, I wanted to see the movie. Naturally, I waited a few
years, took the book out from the library, waited a few weeks, and
now have finally finished the book.
Seems like the natural progression, don't you think?
In the past, I never used to be one of those people who ensured
they read the book before watching the movie, but now I make
myself. I was quite pleased with Lahiri's novel and couldn't put it
down-over 24 hours I had finished the whole thing; naturally,
stopping to eat and sleep, and to get a tire fixed (which has
nothing to do with anything-it was just an annoyance that took me
away from reading this!).
I don't know what it is about books set in different places, or
books that showcase a different culture, but I find them to be such
an escape. Something so different than what I'm accustomed to in my
everyday life. Though, don't be fooled! The Namesake takes place
mostly in America, but the smatterings of India throughout the
novel as well as the culture the family tries to preserve in
America is breathtaking. At just under 300 pages, Lahiri covers so
much ground, which I'm impressed with; too many times I pick up a
huge novel that is trying to do just the same thing Lahiri is and I
find myself getting bored, putting it down, and reading something
else in the interim. I'm happy to say I didn't have that problem
with this book.
There may be a lot of narrative in this book, it is quite simple
(though still beautiful and unpretentious), which makes for a very
quick pace and I found I was swept into the story instantly-Lahiri
has a great flow in this novel. I wouldn't say there's any main
character of the book-the closest is probably Gogol-but, rather,
the main "character" is the Ganguli family. It only seems natural
because the Ganguli's immediately gravitate towards more Bengalis
in the neighbourhood in which they move, everyone being dubbed an
honorary aunt, uncle, or cousin.
Leaving the novel, I was left to think about what's in a name? I
think people take their names for granted-or even the naming of a
child can be so frivolously done. The Namesake reminds us that the
naming of a child is a big thing, that parents should pick a name
that the child will be proud of, a name that tells a story, a name
that brings them back to their history. It tells us that even
though we may be so quick to try and run away from our heritage,
after a few trips and life struggles, we might just want to come
back to it.