Read this when
The Namesake
He changed his name to escape his parents. It took losing his dad to find out what the name meant. 📖
Who it's for
Gogol Ganguli spends years resenting the odd name his parents gave him, changes it to Nikhil, and drifts away from his Bengali family into American relationships.
Feelings it meets
What it is
Jhumpa Lahiri's 2003 debut novel follows Bengali couple Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli, who move to Massachusetts, and their son, nicknamed Gogol after the Russian writer whose story saved Ashoke's life in a train accident. Gogol resents the name, legally changes it to Nikhil before college, and distances himself from his Bengali heritage through relationships with American women.
Where to find it
In print; widely available from libraries (Libby/Hoopla) and as an audiobook. Not public domain in the US. Also the 2006 film directed by Mira Nair.
Before you start
Heads up: Sudden death of a parent.
Age: Ages 14+
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)Walt Whitman, “Song of Myself,” Leaves of Grass
