My sister lent me her copy of Unaccustomed Earth, a set of short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri, and urged me to read it as she said the writing was wonderful. Since I always do as told by my older siblings, I read it and Frances was right, I loved it.
I've been wanting to read more diversely and this was a good way to dip my toe into the water. The stories are generally about the Indian immigrant experience, set in places like New England and the Pacific Northwest with trips to India, Thailand, and London. They are stories of families coming apart and coming together, daughters trying to be dutiful but trying to live their own lives, sons who fail to live up to expectations, individuals trying to become a couple despite cultural barriers, generations striving to understand each other.
The writing is lovely--poignant, soft, even mellow, but with an undertow that catches you off-guard and makes you remember the story for days. The way short stories are supposed to work!
I'll definitely be looking for other books by Lahiri as I can envision her becoming a new favorite author.
