Looking for a good collection of short stories to read on the beach for vacation? How about Interpreter of Maladies? This is a collection of short stories by American author Jhumpa Lahiri, whose parents are from India.

I've run into a few people who have also read this book, and they exclaim how much they enjoyed the stories. I concurred with them. Each story deals with immigrants from India as they adjust to life within the United States. The stories are quiet and unassuming at first, but after reading each one, a powerful wave of realization hit me each time.

Publishing companies do not usually publish a series of short stories by an unknown author. After reading Interpreter of Maladies, I can see why they made an exception. Many of these pieces are bound to become classics. I enjoyed each without exception.

Share/Like this Review?

I didn't realize this book consisted of a collection of short stories, even though the title claims as much. I was pleasantly surprised. Great stories, overall! I was immediately captivated by the stories and found the characters to be very interesting. The stories were written from a different cultural perspective, one that I'm not too familiar with, but that was what made the stories appealing, different. My only complaint is that many of the stories seemed to end abruptly, without closing. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book.

Share/Like this Review?

Lahiri is so gifted, it's almost criminal. In few words and pages, she firmly brings her characters to life - typically Indians residing in America, wanting to come to the US, or, in the title story, visiting the land of their ancestors...as fully-integrated Americans. The story of Mrs. Sen - a thirty-something Indian lady married to a professor of mathematics at the nearby university who takes cares of 11 year old Eliot - was particularly touching, both in the odd blossoming of their friendship and, despite the details and particulars, the universal ways that we all often feel alienated from life.

Share/Like this Review?

Beautiful, lyrical collection of stories, with images that will occur to you unexpectedly for years afterwards.

Share/Like this Review?

This is a powerful book. The stories have insinuated themselves into me and the ones I connected with are continuing to pull at me, almost weighing me down, as if I've added something to myself. I'm not meaning to sound all philosophical, but I'm having a hard time explaining how these stories make me feel so I hope you'll forgive me if I don't make much sense.

Read my complete review here.

Share/Like this Review?

Short stories, some sad, and others sadder.

Share/Like this Review?

I had added this book to my paperbackswap.com wish list after seeing it on some recommended reading list. When the book became available to me on paperback, I saw that the sender had "Unaccustomed Earth," also by Lahiri, available so I requested that book as well. Perhaps my expectations of "Interpreter" were high because the book had won the Pulitzer Prize. As I started reading this collection of short stories, I wondered how on earth this book was even nominated for a Pulitzer, much less won. I found the stories uninteresting and uninspiring. I seldom give up on a book. I was determined to finish it. However, the thought of doing so filled me with dread rather than eager anticipation. The book is 198 pages. I had read the first five stories (through page 110) and had gotten a couple pages of the next story under my belt. I realized I didn't want to waste any more time reading this unfulfilling book--I have about 30 other books on my bookcase that are waiting for me.

I'm not sure if I will read "Unaccustomed Earth" as I expect it may be as dull and uninspiring as "Interpreter of Maladies."

Share/Like this Review?

good book of short stories by a Pulitizer Prise winning writer.

Share/Like this Review?

This is a powerful book. The stories have insinuated themselves into me and the ones I connected with are continuing to pull at me, almost weighing me down, as if I've added something to myself. I'm not meaning to sound all philosophical, but I'm having a hard time explaining how these stories make me feel so I hope you'll forgive me if I don't make much sense.

Read my complete review here.

Share/Like this Review?

short stories

Share/Like this Review?

Since there are so many reviews of the book itself, I will review the narration of the audio version.

First, I was distracted by the narrator's style. Her odd, unnatural, and often nasal enunciation of words was annoying. The amaturish and undulating style of her reading the sentences made me wonder if the author picked a friend or family member who wanted to break into the business. This narrator has no business doing this work. Additionally, the narrator certainly did not capture the emotions of the characters.

Secondly, the producers decided to add music to signify the ending of one "chapter" and the beginning of antoher. However, the chapters in the audio version did not coincide with the stories in the book. The music breaks only served to separate the book in to 6 equal parts, which was in the middle of a story.

While the narrator did read at a decent pace, the up and down vocalizations, the inability to capture sentimental or sad emotions and her odd enunciations made this narration one to skip.

Share/Like this Review?

This is a powerful book. The stories have insinuated themselves into me and the ones I connected with are continuing to pull at me, almost weighing me down, as if I've added something to myself. I'm not meaning to sound all philosophical, but I'm having a hard time explaining how these stories make me feel so I hope you'll forgive me if I don't make much sense.

Read my complete review here.

Share/Like this Review?

This is a powerful book. The stories have insinuated themselves into me and the ones I connected with are continuing to pull at me, almost weighing me down, as if I've added something to myself. I'm not meaning to sound all philosophical, but I'm having a hard time explaining how these stories make me feel so I hope you'll forgive me if I don't make much sense.

Read my complete review here.

Share/Like this Review?