Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri - 4 stars

[Ellen]

This book of short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri deals with the universal desire to belong, be respected and to be loved. Not all of the tales have happy endings and some of them are quite heartbreaking. The story titled "A Real Durwan" is one that I probably will remember for a long time. A basically homeless woman sleeps in the courtyard of an apartment house, sweeping the stairs several times a day to earn food. The residents treat her fairly well, regarding her as a sort of 'guard dog' for their property. Once crime visits their homes, the woman is cruelly cast out because she did not protect them. In "Sexy", a young woman carries on an affair with a married Indian man, knowing there is no future for them. The title story deals with a gentleman in India who is fluent in several different languages. He works for a doctor as an interpreter for his patients. To make extra money for his large family, he drives tourists to local areas of interest. One family piques his interest during a long drive and he is especially interested in the young mother. He fantasizes a future relationship with the woman and when she seems to reciprocate his feelings he is astounded. After she reveals a long hidden secret his bubble is burst and he is slammed back to reality.

This is the second book I have read by this author and I have enjoyed both of them. I will definitely read more of Lahiri.

[Anita]

I really loved these short stories, but I'm sad that they don't seem to stay with me even though I'm so engaged by them when I'm reading them. Your snippets aren't refreshing my memory, but they sound so interesting, I kinda want to revisit the whole book!

[Book Concierge]

Is this is volume that contained the story of the young couple in a new home that kept finding religious statues/icons? I love Lahiri!

[Ellen]

Yes, BC, this is the one.

[Denizen]

I've read 2 by Lahiri and really enjoy her work. Read a collection of stories by her but not this one.

[Regina Lindsey]

Yay! I'm not typically a fan of short stories, but this is the proverbial exception to the rule. Glad you enjoyed it