The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri - March BOTM

[Moto]

About the name history, am Tadalisika Zulu, my name means 'we are blessed' in Chewa( Malawi's language), and Zulu is my family name, we come from a tribe which migrated from South Africa and settled in Zambia.
About the book, I understand Gogol. Having to deal with different cultures and languages is tiresome and leaves you confused.

[HeyLucindaO!]

Does anyone have any funny nicknames? Ive had some funny nicknames over the years....
Lucy, Lu-lu, Lou, Some teachers just called me by my last name if they were serious about something. A boy in school once called me Lucifer... a play on my name (Lucinda).... and ill never forget it. It was so funny and shocking at the same time. Im glad it did not catch on!!!

[Gorab]

Tadalisika wrote: "About the name history, am Tadalisika Zulu, my name means 'we are blessed' in Chewa( Malawi's language), and Zulu is my family name, we come from a tribe which migrated from South Africa and settle..."

Thoughtful and meaningful!

[Gorab]

Ha ha ha ... I'm sure many here would be having funny nickname stories too which they are too embarrassed to share here :P

For me Gorab itself is a nickname... if you slightly rearrange, it becomes Gobar which means cow dung in Hindi. I know i should stop talking more bullshit here :D :D

[Gorab]

About Gogol... I wonder why his father was so hesitant to tell the full story of how his name became Gogol?

Sometimes parents assume kids won't understand a thing... while in reality, the kids understand much more!

[Gorab]

I considered myself a foodie... but am stumped with this book. So far I've not even heard of any of the dishes mentioned in namesake!

[Gorab]

On chapter 10 and loving it very much so far!

[Prathima Deepak]

I am on chapter 3... Got the grip of the narration.. Loving it :)

[[deleted user]]

Prathima Deepak wrote: "I am on chapter 3... Got the grip of the narration.. Loving it :)"

Me too on chapter 3.
Savouring it slowly :)

[Tripti]

on chapter third!
Since few of us have covered the third chapter.. why not discuss few things.... (view spoiler)[Here's a comparison for the people who watch bollywood movie!
Ashima compares being a foreigner to a perpetual pregnancy..... She clearly dislikes being foreigner... I am reminded of a character from the movie 'Yeh jawani hai deewani' known as "Bunny" (funny name, may be some story) played by Ranveer Kapoor. How many of you here would call yourself a Ashima or Bunny?? Share your views!! (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Tripti wrote: "on chapter third!
Since few of us have covered the third chapter.. why not discuss few things.... Here's a comparison for the people who watch bollywood movie!
Ashima compares being a foreigner to ..."

I, myself, have never been a foreigner, so can't say much. But I don't think it will be that hard for me. Had Ashima been working somewhere (teaching at school or something like that), it would have been easier for her, in my opinion.
Have watched the movie, but can't recall Bunny's thoughts about being a foreigner!

[Gorab]

Tripti wrote: "on chapter third!
Since few of us have covered the third chapter.. why not discuss few things.... Here's a comparison for the people who watch bollywood movie!
Ashima compares being a foreigner to ..."

Ashima and Bunny present a contrast view of being a foreigner. I agree with Ashima that if you are not independent and self sufficient (as in you can't drive, can't talk to people... basically can't go out on your own) it becomes very much like a perpetual pregnancy. Even grimmer, because you don't have hopes of a life changing beautiful creation of your own.
Bunny was an explorer sort. No strings attached. And hence the contrasting view.

[Tripti]

Completed the book yesterday and ready to discuss!!
What is the status with you all??

[Prathima Deepak]

Arpit wrote: "Tripti wrote: "on chapter third!
Since few of us have covered the third chapter.. why not discuss few things.... Here's a comparison for the people who watch bollywood movie!
Ashima compares being ..."


I agree that if Ashima was working or would not have to depend on her husband for everything, she would not have felt like a perpetual pregnancy. Also, she was feeling lonely, being grown up in a big Bengali family. She did not feel the same the next time, since she had known a large number of Bengali families in America and also she had Gogol to take care of.

[Prathima Deepak]

I am done with the novel too...!! :)

[Tripti]

Although Ashima was 19 years old when she got married and moved abroad!! She must have spent more years in America than in India. She still continues to cling to the foreign theory.
As mentioned towards the end of the novel, she learned the culture of Christmas and Thanksgiving for her children, I guess she had become a American somewhere.

[Heidi]

I loved this book... look forward to hearing more from everyone else!