The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri [ Edited ]

[Amanda_R]

A Breakout Book, Now a Magical Movie

According to The New York Times, "Jhumpa Lahiri's quietly dazzling novel, The Namesake, is that rare thing: an intimate, closely observed family portrait that effortlessly and discreetly unfolds to disclose a capacious social vision.... Ms. Lahiri has not only given us a wonderfully intimate and knowing family portrait, she has also taken the haunting chamber music of her first collection of stories and reorchestrated its themes of exile and identity to create a symphonic work, a debut novel that is as assured and eloquent as the work of a longtime master of the craft." When Lahiri visited us to discuss The Namesake online, she offered fascinating insights as to what inspired her to write the novel. "As the title suggests, the book deals with names and naming -- the plot is set into motion when the central character's parents can't think of a name for their newborn son," she explained. "I was first inspired to write the book during one of my visits to Calcutta, a city I've been to often with my family to visit our many relatives there. On one visit, I met a young Bengali boy, a friend of my cousin's, named Gogol. The name stuck with me, and part of what moved me, eventually, to write the book was simply to answer the question, why would a Bengali boy have the same first name as the last name of a famous Russian writer? I invented a reason for the sake of the story." The Namesake has now been adapted for the silver screen -- have you read the book, seen the film, or both? Let us know your reactions to this lyrical work here. Also, be sure to check out this fascinating video reading and interview with Lahiri. Amanda

Message Edited by Amanda_R on 06-06-2007 11:58 AM

[homereader]

I have not read this novel, but I just finished reading Jhumpa Lahiri's book of short stories. I am more likely to read the book than see the movie. In general, I prefer books because they allow me to use my imagination.

Janet, aka homereader, quickly becoming an addicted reader, LOL

[kiakar]

I read the book quite awhile ago and enjoyed it immensely. It was so down to the heart of the matter with family matters. I will certainly look forward seeing the movie. I hadn't heard that there was going to be movie on it. I am sure if they follow the book, this certainly will make a remarkable emotional film. What a great book!

[Bill_T]

Anybody here seen the film yet?

[Redrocks]

I read the book over a year ago and was watching for the movie's release. Last weekend we drove some 30 miles to see the movie since its release in the Chicagoland area is still very limited. It was definitely worth the trip! It was beautifully done and I loved it. I highly recommend it!

[kiakar]

---

Redrocks wrote:
I read the book over a year ago and was watching for the movie's release. Last weekend we drove some 30 miles to see the movie since its release in the Chicagoland area is still very limited. It was definitely worth the trip! It was beautifully done and I loved it. I highly recommend it!

---

RedRocks; Was it similiar to the book and was most of the book covered in the movie?
This is the only reason I do not like to see movies of books I have read, I tend to become disheartened with those that are different from the book.

[Redrocks]

I thought it held quite well to the book, starting with Ashook reading N. Gogol's book while riding the train...from there it moves forward very rapidly from his recovery (only one scene) to his meeting Ashmina to the wedding to their apartment in NYC...etc., etc. Despite the quick span of 20+ years, there's a strong emotional thread that captures and holds you, allowing you to really bond with the characters. Gogol as the young architect and forward, the movie spends more time developing the story. The acting is incredibly well done, the scenes in India are wonderful, I can't say enough about the movie. It touched my heart...which I cannot say about ANY movie I've seen in recent times. Go see it, you won't be disappointed.

[kiakar]

---

Redrocks wrote:
I thought it held quite well to the book, starting with Ashook reading N. Gogol's book while riding the train...from there it moves forward very rapidly from his recovery (only one scene) to his meeting Ashmina to the wedding to their apartment in NYC...etc., etc. Despite the quick span of 20+ years, there's a strong emotional thread that captures and holds you, allowing you to really bond with the characters. Gogol as the young architect and forward, the movie spends more time developing the story. The acting is incredibly well done, the scenes in India are wonderful, I can't say enough about the movie. It touched my heart...which I cannot say about ANY movie I've seen in recent times. Go see it, you won't be disappointed.

---

Thank you Redrocks;

Now I know I want to see it. You are right, the most important part of the book was the train wreck where the plot starts, and thanks for letting me know the book is well represented in the movie. I will see it as soon as we get it here. Thank you so much for letting me know about it.

[SK0000]

I am reading the book right now and being a british indian, i can empathise with many of the thoughts, feelings and pressures that Gogol/Nikhil feels throughout the book.

Jhumpa has written this novel with great accuracy in regards to cultural conflicts and cultural guilt.

A fine book and i look forward to see how it all ends up.

[Fozzie]

The Namesake is one of my all time favorite books. I read anything by Jhumpa Lahiri --- I think her writing is exquisite. I will rent the movie of The Namesake when it comes out on DVD. I am not big into movies, but do want to see this one.

Amanda, I couldn't get the link to the reading by Jhumpa to work.

[Amanda_R]

Hi Laura:

Sorry to hear that the link didn't work for you -- I just tested it, and it seems fine on this end -- do you have the latest Windows Media player installed? That would help!

Amanda

Message Edited by Amanda_R on 04-05-2007 04:10 PM

[Fozzie]

---

Amanda_R wrote:
Hi Laura:

Sorry to hear that the link didn't work for you -- I just tested it, and it seems fine on this end -- do you have the latest Windows Media player installed? That would help!

Amanda

Message Edited by Amanda_R on 04-05-200704:10 PM

---

It worked! I didn't do anything to my computer, just tried it again. Who knows... Anyway, I remember watching this when Jhumpa was at Barnes and Noble University discussing The Namesake.

[BookCrazed]

Such a beautifully written book!
Different from American culture while at the same time remaining true to their Bengali heritage is this book's theme.
I loved those people and enjoyed their history, cooking, travels...it's a very original book. haven't seen the movie but lately these are the kind of books fallin into my lap , have also loved The God of Small things and been fascinated by the Egyptian modern culture in The Effect.

I ll go see the movie soon

[Guadalupe]

Hi, I absolutely loved the book. I haven't read anything else by the author and am hesitant to doing so, since I liked The Namesake so much I'm afraid I won't enjoy her other books as much... After I finished the story I kept thinking about Gogol and his story... it is an amazing book.

[kiakar]

---

Guadalupe wrote:
Hi, I absolutely loved the book. I haven't read anything else by the author and am hesitant to doing so, since I liked The Namesake so much I'm afraid I won't enjoy her other books as much... After I finished the story I kept thinking about Gogol and his story... it is an amazing book.

---

It is an amazing read! She keeps you so inveloped in the book that you have to read large portions at one time.