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The
Interpreter of Maladies
by Jhumpa Lahiri
Winner
of the Pulitzer Prize
Review
by Neil Mendes
4 out of 5 Bindis
Too often it seems that the only stories
which emerge out of the Indian community these days are
those which speak of all that is wrong with our country
and our people. As if the only interpretation of Indian
culture and society must be one which is both sad and depressing.
Works such as Arundhati Royís The God of Small Things and
others like it, while worthy of the international acclaim
they have received, have only served to reinforce many of
the negative images western society hold of Indians.
Based on the title alone, Jhumpa Lahiriís The Interpreter
of Maladies would have appeared to have been a continuation
of this dismal trend. Yet, if one can invoke a tired clichÈ,
donít judge a book by its cover or in this case, by its
title. A collection of short stories, Lahiriís book is a
refreshing change from much of what constitutes South Asian
writing today. Drawing on her experiences as an Indian woman
growing up between the traditions of both the east and the
west, Lahiri has written a novel which speaks of Indians
having to deal with modern day issues that donít completely
revolve around arranged marriages, spousal abuse or racism.
Instead, in tales such as ëA temporary matterí and the title
story, Lahiri writes about modern day Indians dealing with
the day to day struggles of keeping a relationship alive,
even after the romance has fizzled out. Other stories deal
like ëThe Third and final continentí and ëMrs. Sení deal
with the immigrant experiences of Indians in North America.
Filled with engaging characters and story lines, Lahiri
paints small portraits of contemporary Indian life in North
America and abroad that is sure to keep her readers wanting
more long after they finish this collection.
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