Interpreter of Maladies: Stories of Bengal, Boston and Beyond

Book Details

• Publisher: HarperCollins

• Author: Jhumpa Lahiri

• Language: English

• ISBN: 9788172235024

• Binding: Paperback

• Pages: 208

• Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches

About the Book:

Jhumpa Lahiri’s work is often praised for its nuanced portrayal of exile, longing, and the emotional challenges of cultural dislocation. This Pulitzer Prize-winning author delves deeply into the yearnings of the Indian diaspora, often showcasing characters in moments of quiet reflection and subtle revelation.

In her collection of short stories, Lahiri explores the lives of Bengali immigrants in Boston, tracing their journey between two worlds — the one they left behind in India and the new world they’ve adopted. The stories are filled with yearning, loss, and the bittersweet nature of both assimilation and alienation.

• In one tale, a couple shares intimate confessions in the quiet hours of the night, grappling with a heartbreaking loss while navigating the emotional chasm between them.

• In another, a student from Bengal arrives in the US to await his bride, only to find himself guided by the evening rituals of his centenarian landlady, which offer him comfort and an unusual path to understanding his place in a foreign land.

• The collection also features a story about a schoolboy and his childminder, whose journey in America is marked by a growing disconnection and a yearning for her homeland.

Lahiri’s beautifully measured prose captures the essence of exile and the subtle shifts of human emotion. Through her writing, she explores the complex emotions of those living between two cultures, deftly weaving narratives of loss, identity, and belonging. The stories leave much unsaid, letting the silence speak as loudly as the words. The emotional depth of the characters, especially their struggles with loneliness and nostalgia, forms the heart of this work.

Key Features:

• Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri’s remarkable storytelling.

• Evocative and emotional stories focused on the Indian diaspora in the United States.

• Rich in observational detail and subtle character exploration.

• Masterful prose that delicately navigates the complexities of exile and identity.

About the Author:
Jhumpa Lahiri is one of the most celebrated contemporary authors, known for her profound explorations of the Indian immigrant experience. Her debut collection, Interpreter of Maladies, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and she has since become a significant voice in literature. Lahiri’s works continue to touch on themes of identity, yearning, and the intersection of cultures.