By Nina Ogden · started 90d ago · The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
A first-generation American carries his father's strange chosen name through every chapter of becoming. This one split the room at last week's meeting, so let's keep it going here.
Finished this one in two sittings and I'm still turning the last chapter over. There's a generosity in how the author treats even the awful characters. Thanks to everyone who posted here — made the read twice as good.
❤️ 10
Second read for me, and it's a different book the second time. I loved how little it explains itself. One of my favourites from the archive.
❤️ 50
I had to pause halfway through and just sit with it. Every scene has a door in it. Someone in chat pointed that out and I lost my mind. Would happily do a re-read discussion next year.
❤️ 10
Second read for me, and it's a different book the second time. Whoever flagged the recurring water imagery — thank you, I can't unsee it now. Bumping the author's backlist to the top of my stack.
❤️ 40
I had to pause halfway through and just sit with it. Every scene has a door in it. Someone in chat pointed that out and I lost my mind. Five stars from me.
❤️ 40
Read it out loud to my partner in the evenings — highly recommend that way. It's a quiet book with a very loud ending. Already lent my copy out twice.
❤️ 317
Finished this one in two sittings and I'm still turning the last chapter over. There's a generosity in how the author treats even the awful characters. Still thinking about that final line.
❤️ 317
Read it out loud to my partner in the evenings — highly recommend that way. It's a quiet book with a very loud ending. Solid four stars, and a full five for the ending.
❤️ 10
I came in skeptical and left completely won over. The prose does that trick where it's plain until suddenly it isn't. Thanks to everyone who posted here — made the read twice as good.
❤️ 10
Read it out loud to my partner in the evenings — highly recommend that way. The dialogue is doing about four jobs at once. One of my favourites from the archive.
❤️ 50
Read it out loud to my partner in the evenings — highly recommend that way. The dialogue is doing about four jobs at once. One of my favourites from the archive.
❤️ 161
I had to pause halfway through and just sit with it. Every scene has a door in it. Someone in chat pointed that out and I lost my mind. Thanks to everyone who posted here — made the read twice as good.
❤️ 201
Our little side-thread on the middle section was the best part of the month. Structurally it reminded me of last spring's pick, but warmer. Bumping the author's backlist to the top of my stack.
❤️ 191
I had to pause halfway through and just sit with it. The prose does that trick where it's plain until suddenly it isn't. Would happily do a re-read discussion next year.
❤️ 161
Read it out loud to my partner in the evenings — highly recommend that way. The dialogue is doing about four jobs at once. Already lent my copy out twice.
❤️ 151
I had to pause halfway through and just sit with it. Every scene has a door in it. Someone in chat pointed that out and I lost my mind. Five stars from me.
❤️ 191
Read it out loud to my partner in the evenings — highly recommend that way. It's a quiet book with a very loud ending. Solid four stars, and a full five for the ending.
❤️ 161
I had to pause halfway through and just sit with it. The prose does that trick where it's plain until suddenly it isn't. Still thinking about that final line.
❤️ 191
Our little side-thread on the middle section was the best part of the month. It's a quiet book with a very loud ending. One of my favourites from the archive.
❤️ 161
This is the pick that made me rejoin the club, honestly. The secondary characters carry more weight than they get credit for. Thanks to everyone who posted here — made the read twice as good.
❤️ 201
