Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

 

In this anthology, Jhumpa Lahiri gives readers eight stories about families and the immigrant experience seen through the prism of Indian families.  Most of the stories show a readiness to move to other places to improve life and education for the children and a desire to move back to the cultural home later in life.  The Indian ethos of doing for others one knows and sacrificing for family members is prominent in these stories.

My favorite stories were several that tied together two families.  One family had welcomed the other when they were just arrived in the United States and helped them acclimate and navigate life in a new country.  The first family moved back to India for the father's career but is now returning.  Of course the second family is willing to host them as they return and find a new house.  But the relationship is strained and the second family feels that their hosting is not appreciated and the other family looks down on them.  The teenage daughter of the hosts has a crush on the visiting family's son but never voices it.  The second story in this triad explores the life of the returning family after they purchase a house and move there.  We find that the mother is severely ill and that caused much of the strain.  Years later, in the third story, now adult son and daughter meet each other in Italy and form a relationship.

Jhumpa Lahiri is an Indian author whose books and anthologies have won praise.  She has won the Pultizer Prize, had several books on the New York Times Notable list and other literary awards.  This anthology won the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award as well as being named a best book of the year by publications such as the New York Times Book Review, the Los Angles Times and the Washington Post.  The stories are intriguing and introduce those not familiar with the Indian culture to the major role that families and friends play in the lives of the culture.  This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.