Review of “The Namesake”
By: Lanie Blaze
lanieblaze@eXcapethematriX.com
For some, including myself, the beauty of life is in the details. I believe this is one of the many reasons I found such satisfaction and joy in reading Pulitzer Prize winner, Jhumpa Lahiri’s, The Namesake.
The tale of Gogol, the American born son of Indian immigrants, explores the complexities of self, familial and cultural identity of a young man so invested in the concept of being “All American”. As Gogol effortlessly insists upon disassociating himself from Indian culture, he finds, as we all do eventually, that our culture is key to our soul’s satisfaction and all things that make us who we truly are.
The
characters, no matter how simplistic, are wonderfully explored and brought to
life through stripped emotion. Ashoke, Gogol’s stoic, traditional and
scientific father and Ashima, his fiercely maternal and nurturing yet hesitant
mother are multifaceted icons that add depth and whimsy to the story. The
universally common theme of family and all of the trials and triumphs they face
is one that makes this book able to touch a place in the heart of any reader.
Lahiri writes in an easy, melodic style full of phrase turns that are resonant and beautiful. Her attention to detail is exquisite and provides vivid mental pictures for the ready. While some may find the style cumbersome, it is one I actually prefer. I think of them as “movies on paper”.
Very rarely do I consider movies based on books to ever do the actual book justice. The Namesake is the sweetest of exceptions. The movie version of The Namesake was released in the spring of 2007 and I jumped at the chance to see it. It did not disappoint.
My “movie on paper” was
true to the film I was seeing on screen. The characters and plot touched me as
deeply as they had when I’d read the book. The cinematography was breathtaking
and the ac
ting
superb. The display of natural beauty and majestic splendor of India stirred up
a passion in me to put it on my list of places to see before I die.
In essence, The Namesake is a story of so many American families. Thus, it relates to most of us on a rudimentary level. It is a worthy read and an uplifting sensory filled experience.