Fourth Estate The Namesake

Being of Bengali origin, there were points of interest and commonalities that I could relate to. Btw Bengali does not mean Bangladesh which was created in 1971. Prior to that it was East Pakistan, before that it was East Bengal and before part of Bengal and before that part of ancient Bengal. The story of immigrants from East India to a foreign land where the language, weather, customs, social norms, lack of roots, family and friends all resonate and there is a certain beauty in the pain or should that be pain in the beauty of the telling. So why 3 stars because where Lahiri writes from the heart or her own experience or the experience of other she has witnessed from very near, other parts seem strained and out of place, particularly where there is profanity or sex involved. These sections do not flow naturally and it seems the author is desperate to challenge any criticism or comment that her writing is traditional or formal and not aimed at a modern audience. But for me, the inclusion of these upsets the balance and ultimately creates a two tone book.

I ordered 'The Namesake' after greatly appreciating  Unaccustomed Earth  which had me reaching for a notebook to capture forever some wonderful quotes from it. Still 'The Namesake' sat about for a while as a 'to be read' (TBR) i.e. 'some other time', before I started it, as the write up on the back left me a bit cool towards the content. I actually realise now that I too was consciously affected by the ugliness of Gogol's name; it called to mind Gorgons, or some such monster.Grappling with this awkward and unexplainable handle, Gogol ploughs through his serious days. Removed from India to the USA, his parents seem apologetic and nervous of the outside world; yet urgently needing to fit in and to recreate the warm, accepting, encircling love they left behind with their large family. Longing for their distanced relations suffuses the lives of Ashoke and Ashima. All the same they are determined to make a success of their new situation, well prepared to quietly sacrifice deep set parts of their make up for the happiness of Gogol and his sister Sonia, aka Sonali. In a way they are all children, newly born to the American life. Understanding of his parents' sacrifice comes late to Gogol; as a child he has a foot in both camps having naturally become more American than Bengali. Children can as we know, be cruel.Wistful moments abound. The story become unexpectedly, for me, entirely touching. Having a short name and a long name is quite usual, I know the feeling of not recognising my proper name in the first days of school. For the Bengali tradition there is a 'good' name and a given one. One is used privately, the other for the outside world. Through a little mishap this process goes awry for Gogol. Thereafter he feels ill at ease with himself and it is this that sets him apart more than his race it seems. So what a challenge it can be to come to terms with an ill fitting label. Somehow it seems to colour his place in life and his success in relationships. Being Gogol is a tough row to hoe. Luckily Nikhil rides to his rescue, his other name. It is fascinating to know what actually makes someone physically change their 'christian' name - 'The Namesake' deftly offers an explanation for this intriguing mystery.The phenomenon of rather falling in love with other families happens to Gogol, when he is accepted by the parents of one girlfriend quite completely. This is a rite of passage I think for young people, when they are emerging into their own personalities and deciding the kind of life they will choose. A form of disloyalty to the birth family but an educational process all the same.The fortunes and misfortunes of Gogol/Nikhil and his nearest and dearest are beautifully described. Life happens to them; when they are busy making other plans. How they cope and re emerge from troubles keeps you reading with attachment and empathy. You can seem them all from all sides and love them for it. A most absorbing read. I have been advised that it is also a wonderful film.  The Namesake [DVD] [2006 ] Unaccustomed EarthThe Namesake [DVD] [2006

for the first part of this book i found it a little slow - much detailing of everyday life... but once I had got into the gentle rhythm of it I became totally captivated and when i finished it, it was like saying goodbye forever to a good friend - always a sign of good read. was glad to have heard it talked about on Radio 4 and had the chance to enjoy it.

I have read several Jhumpa Lahiri books and have enjoyed them all. This was an engrossing read and I didn't want it to finish. The story persuaded me to buy a book of short stories by Gogol, now that's another story.

The beauty of this novel lies in its simplicity. It is fundamentally a story about normal people - their heartaches and their joys - but the skilful characterisation and the sympathetic style of writing draws you into the tale and utterly captivates the reader’s mind. It’s one of my favourite unputdownables I have read this year.