Unaccustomed Earth

When the first time I read Jhumpa Lahiri's novel "The Namesake" (it's been adapted into a movie), I could not put it away since it's written down with exquisite prose, emotional wisdom and subtle rendering of the most intricate working of the heart and mind.

I continued by reading her other book "Interpreter of Maladies", a Pulitzer prize winning and I found it also awesome. The style of the writing is still the same.

Then every time I go to the bookstore, I always check whether there is a new book of Lahiri. Eventually, last August, I got this mint book. Since this was new, it had only hardcover edition which cause the price was a bit expensive, secondly it's heavy to be brought here and there. But...I could not stand it. I grabbed it and went directly to the cashier. Thank God, it's independence day and Periplus gave 17 % discount for all new books. I know...it sounds like a freak, but when I find a good book, I suddenly can turn into a freak.

The book itself contains of eight stories that take us from Cambridge and Seattle to India and Thailand as they enter the lives of sisters and brothers, fathers and mothers, daughters and sons, friends and lovers.

The stories mostly tell about Indians who move and stay in America and find a lot of complex situation there.

My favorite story is "Only Goodness" tells about a sister eager to give her younger brother the perfect childhood she never had, by introducing him with alcohol but in the end she overwhelmed by guilt, anguish, and anger when his alcoholism threaten her family.

All in all, I highly recommend (especially for women) to read Jhumpa Lahiri's books. It's really touching. The flow is a bit slow but it's enriched with beautiful detail prose. Worth to read.