Reddit reviews The Namesake: A Novel

A little off topic, but if you haven't already, definitely check out The Namesake. It was originally a book but the film is really interesting as well. I think you might enjoy it. I'd read the book first, personally, but I know that's not always an option!

Have you read The Namesake? I thought it did a beautiful job portraying the difficulties of both immigrant parents who struggle to keep their identity while living in a foreign country and all of a sudden find themselves raising american children and children raised in The United States who are then expected to both appreciate and conform to a society and culture they do not know (their parent's homeland).

Jhumpa Lahiri is an extraordinary writer. The movie is a great adaptation, but the lyricism of her writing needs to be experienced.

You're a nice person. Thank you for trying.

I have had that feeling of loneliness in the US and also have a sister in the US who sometimes feels isolated.

The easiest thing for you to do would be to get yourself invited to their house for dinner or movie night. Feign interest in Indian cooking, ask her to teach you basic recipes and just head over. Another thing you could do is watch a bollywood or India centric movie that you can enjoy together (I suggest The Namesake, Life or Pi, Slumdog Millionaire, Dhobi Ghaat, The Lunchbox). Don't worry about imposing yourself. You can never be too intrusive for an Indian. :-)

Actually, watch The Namesake (or read it) to understand what she's going through.

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

http://www.amazon.com/Namesake-Novel-Jhumpa-Lahiri/dp/0618485228

Do you know if she's read The Namesake? I thought of it immediately when I read your title, and then saw that she's of Indian descent, and The Namesake is a family saga, a journey through time and tradition and change and loss in an Indian-American family.