Book Review – Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri

I had always felt a lack of interest in contemporary Indian authors, mainly due to my lack of exposure to them. So, I thought twice when a friend of mine recommended this book to me. But this friend was someone with whom I shared not only interests but some personal traits too, and hence, I decided to fetch this one for reading. Man, was I thrilled?

Interpreter of Maladies – this book has won Pulitzer award and I very much understood why. The author, who herself is akin to many of the protagonists in this book - in the sense that she was also an NRI, a second-generation one at that having settled at the US during her parents’ times – has woven a wonderful tapestry of human emotions that range from mellowing love to biting indifference of relationships, and the stage keeps shifting from the small lanes of Calcutta to the wide avenues of the USA.

The book deals with the intricate emotions and intense emotional struggles that most people find themselves to be in, when they are caught up in the middle of two forces – in this case the force being two different cultures. Unable to adapt themselves completely to the so-called liberal culture of America, struggling to find their footing in an altogether different continent, having been uprooted from their own soil for reasons ranging from professional to nuptial.

Each of the nine stories takes you through the inner conflicts and contemplations of the protagonists.

The book tells nine stories – 1) revelations of the couple – Shobha and Shukumar - whose marriage is on the verge of failing at the arrival of a stillborn child, 2) the anxiety of a Bangladeshi academician, Mr.Pirzada, who is bothered about his family’s welfare due to the political scenario back home, 3) the typical adulterous tendencies of a married person, Dev, and the young American girl, Miranda, that falls for his charms, 4) the homesick pangs of a married woman, Mrs.Sen, that finds solace and happiness at the company of a little boy whom she has to baby-sit,  5) the sad plight of a poor old servant maid, Boori Ma, who boasts of a glorious and prosperous past that sounds more like fantasy than fact, 6) the whole gamut of emotions of a part-time cab driver, Mr.Kapasi, that starts developing amorous intentions towards the NRI lady who is travelling with her family, only to end up facing some surprises rather, 7) the story of a 100+ years old lady, Mrs.Croft, whose life and values are still frozen at the 18th century, but who nevertheless is self-reliant and enigmatic, 8) the unseen and unfelt frictions between a traditional Indian guy Sanjeev who marries the girl Twinkle that was born and brought up in US and who believes in having her way in whatever she does, and 9) the carnal and nuptial yearnings of a eccentric and indisposed young girl Bibi Haldar, whose illness has more to do with the mind rather than the physique.

If you are a person that relishes reading the emotional intricacies and empathizing with the characters, this is a must-read for yourself. Also, if you are a person who is of the opinion that everyone that settles in the USA is settled for life and has nothing to worry about or struggle against, this is a DEFINITELY a must-read for you!