MovieChat Forums > The Namesake (2007) Discussion > I met Jhumpa Lahiri

I met Jhumpa Lahiri

posted 16 years ago by ninac4116
11 replies | jump to latest

As a Bengali-Indian-American, "The Namesake" spoke the language of my life. This book and film touched me in a way no other had. Jhumpa Lahiri was coming to a book signing at the local book store, so of course I had to go to meet her. More than anything, I wanted to let her know how much her book had touched my heart. I stood in line, got my book signed, and said "As a Bengali-American, your book has really touched my heart." Sadly, she was very cold and unfriendly. All she said was "ok, thanks, next in line..."

What a disappointment! Totally not what I had thought she would be like... Thought she would be more appreciative of her fans, especially to someone of the same sub-culture. I know it would mean a lot to me if someone said that to me if I were in her shoes.

[–] greyfrokonti 16 years ago

That seems to be Lahiri's personality. I wouldn't take it personally. Everyone i've talked to who has met her has said the same thing: she always seems very uncomfortable and unfriendly. She's probably not trying to be aloof or mean. This article about the real guy who was the inspiration for Gogol also describes her as being like that:

http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/30030/

[–] carmennicol 16 years ago

I liked the movie but still...

"the most vociferously anti-Western crusaders I meet are inevitably the ones who are most hybrid. It is these comfortably situated citizens, these Resident Non-Indians, who, beset by a consciousness of their own isolation from "Real India," feel an overpowering nostalgia for an Indianness that never was, for a mythical, paradisaical lost garden of cultural and spiritual unity"

"Real India" is anywhere but where you are, that the "Real India" is in the urban slums, in the faraway villages of Bihar, in the jungles of the tribals. So if you write in English, and are improperly contaminated by the West, if you’ve travelled across the Black Waters and lost your caste, then the "Real India" is by definition beyond your grasp. "Real India" is never here, it is always there. "Real India" is completely unique, incomprehensible to most, approachable only through great and prolonged suffering, and unveils herself only to the very virtuous".

Vikram Chandra- The Cult of Authenticity

Maybe next time you could try to meet Mr.Chandra I have the feeling you will not be disappointed.

[–] Indigeriyou 16 years ago

Wow, that is quite harsh of Mr. Chandra...

Though, Jhumpa's treatment of the OP is unsettling. She purports that she is writing a meaningful book but she cannot relate to her fans, especially those who have been deeply affected by her book.

Personally, I hated the book and I'm and Indian American. It was one of the most labored pieces of writing that I had ever encountered. It was forced and synthetic.

I feel like it translated better onto film, but possibly only because Irfan and Tabu are amazing actors. I could not handle Gogol's story, even though that is supposed to be the main focus of the book.

I liked her short stories though.

[–] atc2008 15 years ago

Wow, what a b.tch

That's pretty damn cold of her to talk to you like that.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] venusebony 14 years ago

I thought there were abrupt changes in the novel that I found odd. I understood why Gogol broke up with Ruth and Maxine. However, since Moushimi she was a very important character in the book I wanted to know more about the break up of their marriage. I thought that Gogol was actually a sympathetic character "after" his father died.It was sad that Gogol only understood the importance of family and culture "after" his father's death. I don't think Gogol and Moushimi married for love I think they were pressured into marriage because they are both Bengali. I kind of wish Lahiri had explained their breakup more because Moushimi she was the most important "woman" in Gogol's adult life besides his mom.

[–] LauraCohle 12 years ago

I agree, I really wanted more detail of the marriage break up between Moushimi and Gogol. I felt like the book didn't explain enough.

[–] LauraCohle 12 years ago

As I was reading this message I was so excited for you to have met Lahiri, until I read that she was so cold! What a disappointment. :( I'm sorry.

[–] naiad2014 11 years ago

Don't be sad. A lot of otherwise nice people come across as cold at book signings. Some of them are simply tired and a bit overwhelmed.

[–] rhik 11 years ago

Welcome to real India, buddy! That's what Indians are; cold, arrogant and selfish, self-righteous pricks.

With no power comes no responsibility...

[–] Jes' Sayin' (5954) 7 years ago

Heard her interviewed on NPR once and she sounded so pretentious that I turned it off. Avoided this movie until now because of it.