The Namesake: A Novel
8 journalers for this copy...
Gritty, authentic, gentle, poignant "family portrait." Reminds us of the depth of everyday people.
This book is set aside for an international bookray, starting August 20, 2005
"The Namesake" has started its international journey on a bookray. First destination: Italia!This is a photo of the Davis, California train station and bicycle parking lot. Would love to see photos of your town as the book comes to visit.
Wow, my first participation in a bookray. Arrived in Italia 27.08.05 great postal service from the U.S.A. Have already started and looks like it is going to be a terrific read.The photo is of a sunset in Vetralla.
An easy to read excellent moving and realistic account of the immigrant experience of a Bengali family. I really enjoyed this book and learnt about a culture I am not familiar with at the same time.
I will be mailing The Namesake to its next location in Greece in the next day or so and will look forward to reading the reviews as it continues on its travels.
I will be mailing The Namesake to its next location in Greece in the next day or so and will look forward to reading the reviews as it continues on its travels.
As of today now in the postal system en route to Greece.
Arrived in my mailbox today. Thanks FeralReader & LindyLouMac![photo - the Acropolis]
Sent to tiatia.
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The novel unfolds as an extended evocation of a particular mood (as experienced by the character named Gogol), rather than a structured thematic exploration of cultural identity. The focus is on Gogol’s stillborn self; he most often knows what he is not rather than what he is. In a way, the idiosyncrasy of his peculiar name is a heavier burden than the issues of assimilation and the yearning to belong. He is a personality in progress, working towards being, yet never quite there, either in space or in time. There is an existentialist hue to Gogol’s life, a nostalgia for something indefinite, impalpable, impossible.
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Added June 16 2008 -->
I recently saw the film adaptation of The Namesake (directed by Mira Nair) and appreciated once again the depth of human emotions in Lahiri's novel, which are also present in the movie.
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The novel unfolds as an extended evocation of a particular mood (as experienced by the character named Gogol), rather than a structured thematic exploration of cultural identity. The focus is on Gogol’s stillborn self; he most often knows what he is not rather than what he is. In a way, the idiosyncrasy of his peculiar name is a heavier burden than the issues of assimilation and the yearning to belong. He is a personality in progress, working towards being, yet never quite there, either in space or in time. There is an existentialist hue to Gogol’s life, a nostalgia for something indefinite, impalpable, impossible.
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Added June 16 2008 -->
I recently saw the film adaptation of The Namesake (directed by Mira Nair) and appreciated once again the depth of human emotions in Lahiri's novel, which are also present in the movie.
Picked it up from my mailbox late Thursday. I received bookring books in the mail two days ago as well, but plan to do lots of reading this weekend to not delay any of the books. Thank you for sending it.
PS: FeralReader- one of my favorite youngsters from Moraga, CA just started at UC, Davis this week. I'm sure she's going to enjoy your home town.
PS: FeralReader- one of my favorite youngsters from Moraga, CA just started at UC, Davis this week. I'm sure she's going to enjoy your home town.
The only good part about getting sick is that you can stay at home and read. Devoured this book. Alhough my parents immigrated from the Netherlands the descriptions of the lifestyles of the family were so similar. My childhood too was spent going from one set of "aunts and uncles" to another because they shared the same Dutch Indonesian backgrounds. Each of my siblings lives in ways my folks could barely recognize. A lawyer, a lobbiest, a marketing director, a document carrier. How my Mom adjusted to a life without servants was also similar, as was the period of time just after my Dad died. I am too learning to become more familiar with, and accepting of, my heritage and bemoan the fact that the generation with the answers to my parents' childhoods are in their 80s and 90s and will soon be unavailable. That said, I would have enjoyed the book purely for the delightful descriptions and story lines. Thanks for sharing.
A late journal for the book's departure to the next reader.
i tried reading this book all month and made little headway. i liked it, it just wasn't gripping and i've been really busy. it seemed to me that the book was written in the short of "catch-up" style that happens at the beginning of each book of a series.
USPS deliv. confirm: #03030830000044487451
USPS deliv. confirm: #03030830000044487451
Journal Entry 13 by sabeena29 from not specified, not specified not specified on Saturday, November 19, 2005
this arrived today in the mail- I have another short ring before it and will get to them both in the next few days- thanks for offering this book- it looks great!
Journal Entry 14 by sabeena29 from not specified, not specified not specified on Monday, November 28, 2005
This is an excellent read! I was truly interested in the family and felt connected with them as I live not very far from where most of the story takes place- I now as an adult like my name but it is unusual and disliked it at times in my youth similar to Gogol- Thanks feralreader for offering this ray. I hope to read Lahari's first book some day soon. Waiting on an address to send to Winkysherbo.
ps:tried to add a photo of the Boston skyline but was unsure how to add it- sorry.
edited on 12/11/05 - sent this off to Winkysherbo on 11/29-
according to delivery confirmation (#0304 3490 0003 0247 9248) it was delivered on 12/2.
ps:tried to add a photo of the Boston skyline but was unsure how to add it- sorry.
edited on 12/11/05 - sent this off to Winkysherbo on 11/29-
according to delivery confirmation (#0304 3490 0003 0247 9248) it was delivered on 12/2.
Have not read enough of the book to really rate it in its entirety-- but I wanted to let the other readers know that I've received it, will be reading it, and then passing it on :)
awesome book! i was thoroughly engaged and couldn't put it down! i'm sorry i book-hogged it for so long! that just shows how good it is! :)
I received this book two weeks ago from winkysherbo. I am sorry to not have journaled sooner. I am about halfway through and am really enjoying it. Cool that it takes place in Boston (having just moved here about 2 years ago)and the book has travelled to Greece and Italy!
I will journal more when I finish. Thanks!
I will journal more when I finish. Thanks!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Gogol's life. I felt very connected to him. I felt the ending was a bit rushed and would have liked to hear more about Gogol and Moushumi...
On to the next person! Thanks so much for sharing this book.
On to the next person! Thanks so much for sharing this book.
