Book Log 2020 #70: The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

The struggle to reconcile personal and cultural identies is at the center of this book, which tells the story of a newly-married couple that moves from India to the US to start a new life. When the couple have their first child, they try to wait for a name to be sent from a grandmother in India, but when the letter never arrives they opt for an unusual name that starts the child on what appears to be a lifelong battle to feel comfortable with himself.

There's a level at which the difficulties each member of the family face are relatable to anyone, as we've all had feelings of not belonging or being different. What sets this novel apart is the way in which the specific issues, be it cultural norms, language barrier, or the generation gap, are so finely and clearly detailed. It's not the easiest read emotionally - it can be quite a downer at times - but it's worth working through to see how each life unfolds.