I picked up this Jhumpa Lahiri novel a couple of years ago as I'd seen previews for the movie of the same name and found the concept compelling. While it took awhile to grow to care for the characters, within a few chapters I could identify with Ashima (the mother). Although my life experiences differ greatly from hers (she married a stranger and immigrated from India to the United States), I could identify with her gradual journey from reliant to independent.
As I read about Gogol (the son) growing up, I began to identify with him as well. Gogol must navigate between his parent's traditional expectations for him and the desires and hopes he has for himself. At times, he follows his parent's advice and other times he follows his own heart. Both occasionally bring him joy and sometimes frustration or sorrow.
I felt Lahiri did an excellent job developing her characters and their relationships with one another. I especially enjoyed reading about Gogol and the various relationships he experienced throughout the novel. Lahiri was not incredibly sentimental in the way she described these relationships, but instead completely honest. Honest about the anxiety and hope of new beginnings, the mundaneness that can creep into even the strongest relationships, the loss and regaining of self, the fragility of goodbye.
Another strength I appreciated about Lahiri's writing was her ability to present an important moment without outright stating its significance. Oftentimes, it was in the words she did not say that the reader could sense the importance of a moment. For example, at one point Gogol is spending a vacation at the lake with his girlfriend Maxine and her family. He begins to picture her here, many years later, teaching her children to swim, sitting by the lake with wrinkled skin and silver hair. This is a beautiful, sweet moment, however something is missing. Lahiri has Gogol visualize Maxine's future but he is never a part of that image. Lahiri does directly point this out, but as a reader you wonder where he is and what it means that he is not a part of this vision. It is the first glimpse of foreshadowing where Gogol's relationship with Maxine may lead.
"The Namesake" was a relaxing read and offered a glimpse into the immigrant and first generation American experience. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a captivating read with not too many layers. I am looking forward to finding and viewing the movie now!
