Books to Read: Unaccustomed Earth

Today we're spotlighting one of Chad's favorite books, Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri.

Following her Pulitzer Prize winning collection of stories titled Interpreter of Maladies and best-selling novel The Namesake, Jhumpa Lahiri writes this collection of stories titled Unaccustomed Earth. Over the course of 8 distinct stories, Lahiri analyzes the lives of Indian Americans as they try to maintain contact with their heritage in culturally foreign environments. This cross-cultural analysis of the lives of foreign-born Americans in a world of post-9/11 suspicion is sure to be an intriguing read for anyone who picks it up!

Chad says: 

This collection of short stories is an enticing retelling of the lives of 6 separate groups of people. The first 5 stories are distinct, while the last 3 stories follow the same couple, with each story bringing a different perspective to the table. It’s easy to lose sight of the privileges that people experience in their own lives until they learn about someone or some group who does not experience those same privileges and luxuries. Following the psyche of the characters as they try to maintain their relationships with their past, their culture, and their relatives and fight the push by the world around them to become entirely Americanized is truly enveloping. Jhumpa Lahiri’s ability to develop each individual character is beyond compare, and by the end of the book I assure you that you will not only be left wanting to learn more, but you’ll want to be their friend.

So the next time you're looking for a good read, be sure to check this one out!