interpreter of maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

My friend Beth insisted I borrow this book from her, she loved it and even said something about she could just kiss Jhumpa on the mouth for writing it. So I trusted her and took it home.

I'm sure anything I say about this book of short stories won't do it justice but I am going to try because that's what I do here, I tell you about the books I've read. 

Do you know those Russian dolls that nest? That's what this book reminds me of, if the dolls were Indian and wearing the most amazingly beautiful saris, the colors like jewels and all so vivid you can feel the silk in your fingers. Each story is a little gem inside the gem of this book. You could start anywhere and randomly pick a story to start with or do what I did and go in order. I should point out that each story feels like a moment of a person's story, none of them feel like a start to finish life story but rather a brief glimpse into the lives of the characters. While this may sound awkward or annoying I promise it was not, though you will probably end up like I did and want more. It doesn't matter, each story will make you feel. And as I have said numerous times, I love a book that makes me feel things, well not bored but otherwise, make me feel something.

There are 9 stories and there wasn't one I disliked.

In the story Mrs. Sen's, it was so dry in its sadness. It was just a short glimpse into the days Eliot spent going to the Sen's after school. You can feel Mrs. Sen's discomfort of being away from her native land and living in the US while her husband Mr. Sen (no first names given in the story) teaches at a university. You can feel her isolation and desire to go home. It isn't in your face, it just is and you can see her home as Eliot does and you can smell the mothballs and spices.

In the story A Temporary Matter watching two people who loved each other once not be able to find their way back together is so heart wrenching but the way they come out on the other side is so human and honest it is also heart warming.  

Lahiri writes with a style that is open and blunt but subtle at the same time. There is no beat you over the head message but there is a sense of acknowledging that life is a journey and sometimes it hurts and sometimes it isn't what you expected and always it is beautiful.


(finished June 12, 2013)