Reader Responses

Goodreads.com
        Many readers on this site praised Jhumpa Lahiri’s collection of short stories. In many cases, reviews were met with responses such as, “Amazing, extraordinary”, “Splendid!” and “Beautiful”! These reviewers loved the book for its universal human struggles that made the characters more relatable and empathetic. Another commonality for those who enjoyed the book, was that it kept them engaged and having a hard time putting the book down.That being said, there were others who felt differently about Lahiri’s book, leaving comments like, “Overrated”, “Very depressing”, and “Just Ok” for example. A common thread between those who didn’t enjoy the book, often was the book’s short story genre and many of their overall themes. For many of these readers didn’t like how the stories and characters were without development, and time and time again did not like how “miserable” some of the stories were. However, the overall response to The Interpreter of Maladies was overwhelmingly positive on this site.

One reviewer, Nataliya, made a comment that really stuck out to me, which stated,“It's not about the plot; Lahiri's storytelling hinges on the inner world of her characters, their hopes, dreams, and memories.” For there were always certain aspects or struggles characters faced that left impressions on me, that could be seen after interpreting each one’s maladies. For example, I can’t forget Twinkle and her fascination with the Christian objects she kept finding in her home, or Bibi Halder and her determination/dream to turn her life around and find love. Through these hopes, dreams, memories, emotions, etc. within the inner world of the characters readers are able to see the commonalities not only between the characters, but possibly between themselves and the characters, as well.

barnesandnoble.com

            Readers on this site also enjoyed Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies. Reviewers loved her writing style, and lots of readers liked the book because of its focus on “humanity”.  These reviewers also enjoyed how Lahiri was able to “capture and evoke feelings”, and found the book as a whole to be very creative. There weren’t as many negative reviews, however those who didn’t care for the book commented that they didn’t find the book “interesting”, with some even calling it “confusing” and “frustrating”. Those who liked the book often said they were inspired to read other novels by Lahiri, while those who didn’t quite enjoy her book felt let down given that it was a winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Overall, the book was met with a positive response from readers.

A comment, left by Anonymous, that I felt many readers of this book could agree with read, “We are often wowed by tales of war, tragic love, or deceitful revenge, but some stories invoke that same amazement through more ordinary situations.” This quote echoes my same feelings, as Lahiri is able to capture so much emotion within the everyday lives of her characters in the Interpreter of Maladies. In doing so, she leaves us feeling for the characters, or relating to their struggles, some of which we too may have faced at some point in our lives. It is these emotions and situations that keep readers turning page after page.

Amazon.com

            Much like the other two sites, Amazon’s reviewers had a positive to the book. Unlike the other two sites however, the good reviews heavily outweighed the negative. Many of those who liked the stories, enjoyed the human emotions and struggles in each of the stories, as many said they were “touched” by this and Lahiri’s “well drawn characters”. These reviewers also commented on how they enjoyed the book in part because of Lahiri’s writing style, as well as saying that they looked forward to reading some of her novels because of their reading experience with this book. Some of the few people who didn’t enjoy the book left comments similar to those on Barnes and Noble and Goodreads. These reviewers found the story “just ok” with one reviewer even saying that they felt many of the endings were “predictable”.

One particular comment, left by vanishingpoint, that stood out to me while reading the reviews on this site was as follows, “Thanks to you, Jhumpa Lahiri, when I now see Indian people, especially the women walking in their saris, I smile. Every time I see them, I think back to this wonderful book.” I think it is great when a book such as this one can bring new insight to its readers. For books such as this one, brings people to see cultures in a new light, and understand them.  The way Lahiri brings universal human struggles and emotions into her novel allows for readers to understand how these universal experiences can connect us to others. In doing so, people can understand the struggles that others may face, and it lets for any preconceived judgments or thoughts to be cast away.