Unaccustomed Earth Book Review

Jhumpa Lahiri, an Indian novelist, is one of my favorite authors, her previous books include The Interpreter of Maladies, which is a collection of short stories, and The Namesake, which was recently made into a movie (the movie was OK, nothing like the book). What I love about reading her books is that I will continue to think about the book days, and even weeks, after I have finished reading the book. Her stories just stay with you. As well, I love the way she writes, it's what I call "delicious reading", where you savor the words.

Her latest book, Unaccustomed Earth, is another collection of short stories. At the beginning of the book she includes a quote from "The Custom-House" by Nathaniel Hawthorne:

Human nature will not flourish, any more than a potato, if it be planted and replanted, for too long a series of generations, in the same worn-out soil. My children have had other birthplaces, and, so far as their fortunes may be within my control, shall strike their roots into unaccustomed earth.

Unaccustomed Earth explores the relationships between sisters and brothers, husband and wife, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters and friends and lovers. Here's a brief description of the first short story: Ruma, a young mother in a new city, is visited by her father, who carefully tends the earth of her garden, where he and his grandson form a special bond. But he's harboring a secret from his daughter, a love affair he's keeping all to himself. When I read this story, it was so interesting to me how the author chose to conclude the story. I guess I could say that about all of the story conclusions in the book.

I am obviously a fan of Jhumpa Lahiri, and I think if you give one of her books a chance, you will be drawn in and well rewarded for your efforts.