Big Books of 2026
In Other Words

Questions About In Other Words

by Jhumpa Lahiri

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Answered Questions (3)

I speak 2 languages, and I'm rather sad that half way into the book, the author doesn't seem to have any joy in the new methods of expression available when you learn a new language. Her reason for learning a third language doesn't shine through. Perhaps in the second half?
Mary Nope. I finished it, and found this to be true throughout. I, too, speak two languages, and my second is Italian, so I really wanted to like this book…moreNope. I finished it, and found this to be true throughout. I, too, speak two languages, and my second is Italian, so I really wanted to like this book. However, I found it one long, tedious exercise in self-examination.(less)
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Anybody have the original instead of the translation?
Bonnie I used it as a dual language book. It starts easy, in her careful beginner language, pretty much just present tense, then gets more and more fluent. Y…moreI used it as a dual language book. It starts easy, in her careful beginner language, pretty much just present tense, then gets more and more fluent. You can see when she's discovered a new word or tense she likes, because she uses it a lot for a while.(less)
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I have liked Lahiri's fiction in the past, but I found this a rather self-absorbed, uninspired look at learning a new language. Lahiri uses "heartbreaking" after she is addressed in English rather than Italian. I wonder whether anyone else found her phrasing--in general--overwrought?
Edith In short, yes. Overwrought is a good word for her description of her obsession with Italian . More a mirror for her inner psychological workings than …moreIn short, yes. Overwrought is a good word for her description of her obsession with Italian . More a mirror for her inner psychological workings than about learning a language, which should not be such a terribly joyless experience. (less)
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Unanswered Questions (2)

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