Belongings: ‘Unaccustomed Earth’ by Jhumpa Lahiri – Book Recommendation

 

This collection of short stories from Jhumpa Lahiri is a thing of tender beauty. Eight tales relate aspects of the immigrant experience, all from the perspective of personal, often intimate, relationships. Whilst Lahiri does depict incidence of culture clash and the difficulties of assimilation, the stories are largely universal in terms of theme, exploring connections and belonging, questioning what constitutes home and the importance of country, culture, and family in creating one.

Lahiri uncovers the hidden, everyday tragedies of life, the broken hearts and dreams, the failed ambitions and love affairs, the unspoken feelings, and the sometimes immeasurable distance between ourselves and those we are close to. Her characters are neither heroic nor special, but their quiet resilience as they navigate life’s journey cannot fail to uplift. The final three stories are especially moving, relating the interconnected lives of two immigrants from childhood to adulthood. Lahiri’s final line, describing a character having ‘left nothing behind’ is simultaneously ironic and heart-rending, highlighting the universal importance of heritage, legacy, and memory in an unavoidably ephemeral existence.

The poignancy of this highly readable collection lies in Lahiri’s deft treatment of the touching nuances of ordinary life, and I defy anyone to read it and remain unaffected. After all, we are all of us travellers in a strange and complex world.

 

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri ISBN: 9780747596592