This collection of nine stories was the choice for our January book club. Jhumpa Lahiri is a talented storyteller and the topic of "maladies," which is woven through each tale, made for interesting discussion. The stories are character-rich and are set in both India and the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Regardless of the setting, Lahiri's description is filled with minute, sensory-oriented detail. The characters become three dimensional as they share what humors and ails them. All are quite memorable, making each story stand out as an individual accomplishment.
I enjoyed all nine, but among my favorites was "Blessed House," about a young Indian couple in a new home. They find what seems to be an endless stash of Christian artifacts and these statues, icons and effigies tickle the wife, Twinkle, and horrify the husband, Sanjeev. I also loved the final story, "The Third and Final Continent," told by a Bengali man who left India (Asia) in 1964, went first to London (Europe) and then Boston (North America) where he began is new life and faced his ultimate destination. What stands out most about this story is his experience with the 103 year-old landlady, Mrs. Croft, with whom he lived for several weeks prior to his wife's arrival. It teaches him a lot about relationships, particularly the relationship that becomes most important to him. Simply "splendid!"
Highly recommend for both excellent writing and outstanding storytelling.
