Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 31-35 of 119
 Simply put--Amazing. July 30, 2008
J. Bluhm (Flint, MI, USA)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
These stories where beautiful. Lahiri seemed to push the enveloped a little more with this book, and the result is a beautiful work of prose. I couldn't put this one down. It was fantastic. Again, her stories deal with love, friendship, marriage and tragedy, making her characters real to her readers.
If you read, "Interpreter of Maladies" and liked it, you will love this!
 Unaccustomed Earth July 27, 2008
Alex Telander (Davis, CA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri: Jhumpa Lahiri, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Interpreter of Maladies, and author of The Namesake, returns after five years with Unaccustomed Earth, a collection of eight stories that are longer than short stories but not quite novella length. It's split into two parts. The first consists of five individual stories, while the second part consists of the last three tales, each involving the same two characters, Hema and Kaushik.
The first story, "Unaccustomed Earth," involves a family who recently moved to Seattle. After the death of Ruma's mother, she is left feeling guilty over the decision of whether or not to invite her aging Baba (father), to live with them. Not sure how to handle this, she invites him to stay with her for a week. Over the course of their time together, father and daughter rekindle their relationship, while secrets are revealed about their separate lives. Baba also meets and falls in love with Ruma's son Akash, looking after him, teaching him some Bengali, and treating him like a grandfather should - giving him more respect and attention than he has ever given Ruma. At the end of the week, Baba goes back home to his secret girlfriend and life of travel, leaving Ruma unsure, and the reader wanting more. "Unaccustomed Earth" sets the tone for the book, which offers stories of lives with problems and decisions and changes that affect all the characters. But it is those of Indian descent who have to deal with how much of their original culture they hold on to in their American lives.
"A Choice of Accommodations" is an interesting story about an interracial couple who are having problems with their marriage. During a weekend attending a friend's wedding, they rediscover their love and respect for each other. The most compelling story of the collection is "Nobody's Business," involving a young Indian girl, Sangeeta, who is involved with an Egyptian man, but continuously has suitors calling her with the hope of a meeting and eventual marriage. What makes the story interesting is that it is told from the perspective of the roommate, Paul, who has a crush on Sang, and finds himself unavoidably involved in her romantic and personal life while trying to complete his doctorate. While at first the story seems to go in an obvious direction, it eventually moves off on a new tangent as things change in Sang's relationship and she ends up moving back to England, with Paul having to deal with the leftover pieces.
Lahiri continues to do what she does best, creating strong, unique characters who stay with readers after the story is over. Sadly, Lahiri fails to take risks with her writing, always portraying Indian characters who - like herself - come from an affluent, upper class upbringing, in most cases in New York or New England. Perhaps in her next work, Lahiri will branch out from her write what you know world and venture into new territory. Nevertheless, Unaccustomed Earth is a fascinating collection of stories involving Indian characters struggling with issues involved in being American, but at the same time keeping their original heritage and culture alive.
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 Pleasant reading July 25, 2008
Farseem Mohammedy (Hamilton, Ontario Canada)
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
Jhumpa's new collection is pleasant reading alright but lacks the spark that was felt in her "Interpreter of Maladies". She constantly speaks of the routine culture shocks and thereafters of the bengalis from west bengal who migrated to the West. But I must say that the greater diaspora of the majority muslim bengalis and their struggles are all too absent. Also the hard life that the non-previldged bengalis of both varieties faced in the foreign lands are not strongly reflected.
Great stories! July 25, 2008
William Berg (Gainesville, FL)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm not usually a fan of books of short stories. But the reviews of this one brought me in, and I was not disappointed! For one thing these stories have a strong theme, and in some cases the same characters across stories. And for those who prefer full-length novels, that helps. For another thing the stories "read long." By that I mean, most of the stories left me satisfied at the end, rather than feeling cheated out of a more in-depth development of character, a common effect of books of short stories I've read. But no doubt most important is that this author writes so fantastically that she immediately pulls you in to the story line and characters. This was the first book I've read by this author, but not the last!
Engaging July 25, 2008
Amy H (Oak Hill, VA)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
I enjoyed this book. I'm still not clear on if ALL the stories were related- a couple I couldnt tie together, but nonetheless, looked forward to picking this up every night. I'd probably rate it 4.5 stars as its not life changing and I probably wont remember any of these stories in a week, but as a enjoyable leisure-reading, it hit the mark.
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