This post was first published with The Cascade on November 4, 2024.
Hello dear readers,
When I think of Jhumpa Lahiri’s career — as well as her books — the first term that comes to mind is slow burn. With her first book of short stories coming out in 1999, Lahiri’s professional writing practice has spanned decades, bringing forward works that are insightful and significant while highlighting universal aspects of life.
Lahiri, born in London, England to West Bengali immigrants, moved to the United States at three years old. After finishing a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, moved on to Boston University, where she obtained master’s degrees in creative writing, English, and comparative literature, and a postdoctoral degree in renaissance studies. During this time, Lahiri published three novels, one novella, three short story collections, and three non-fiction books.
While prolific, what I like about Lahiri is that she’s not rushing to pump out book after book to keep up with current trends; she takes her time, putting effort and care into each one to make sure it’s the best it can be. With themes of attachment, migration, family, and finding meaning, Lahiri’s books are relatable without being tedious.
A wonderful example of this is Whereabouts (2018), a year-long narrative of a woman stuck between stagnancy and motion, restlessness, and being settled. I picked my copy up from a shelf at a local thrift store. I am, by and large, one of those people who judges a book by its cover (sorry). And while this cover isn’t complex, it is eye-catching — and the reason I now buy every book by Lahiri that I can find.
Though the synopsis for Whereabouts didn’t entirely intrigue me, I was hooked by the first page. Lahiri’s writing isn’t flashy, but it grounds you in its simplicity, while still managing to make each line engaging.
Lahiri’s work is very much the kind that, while not much may appear to happen on the surface, the characters often go through stark internal changes. Add to this realistic backdrops and relatable situations — written in such a personable style, like a friend telling you a story over coffee — and you have unforgettable narratives that surface again and again in your mind. And while much of Lahiri’s work is simply written, it conveys significant advice. I often find myself reading and re-reading her work just for this reason.
In her book Namesake (2003), Lahiri writes:
“Do yourself a favor. Before it’s too late, without thinking too much about it first, pack a pillow and a blanket and see as much of the world as you can. You will not regret it. One day it will be too late.”
Happy reading!
—Catherine
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