Unaccustomed earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

[Namrata]

This is book is composed of a series of short stories underlying a setting both western and Indian. It conveys the author sitting back, watching the antics and going ons of people with various backgrounds. Each story is steeped in rich tradition and the different emotions of generations. They also shockingly bring out the shameful truth in the lives of its characters, the forgiveness and accommodations that have to be undertaken. The stories go into intimate details and one cannot but think that these may have been the author's personal experiences. Each story leaves an open ending that one can complete in any way one choses. The last story tells about the sacrifice a woman must bear in the face of culture and tradition. Thoroughly enjoyable.