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Summary: Stories written by recipe
Review: I too wanted to love this book, and assumed I would, given the praise it has been given. I thought the first story, A Temporary Matter was excellent, but all the rest were predictable. I could anticipate what was going to happen before it did, giving me the odd feeling that I had somehow read these stories before. People talk about "workshop stories" and I have never been able to put my finger on what it is. I still have trouble defining what the problem is with this kind of story (and I graduated from a workshop myself) but now I realize that I know it when I read it. Perfectly fine stories, nicely written, but ultimately dull and uninspired, as if written from a recipe: add one conflict to one exotic setting, one case of infidelity, abuse, or angst, sprinkle with spare, clever writing and stir.
Rating: 
Summary: so?
Review: I found these stories formulaic but quite good. There were touching scenes with the young couple talking about their lost son, and the Third and Final Continent was exceptional, in its sympathy. Much of the rest of the book I found a bit repulsing because it seemed like she was pulling things out, describing Boston in a way I found misinformed and dishonest, knowing she could get away with things. She can put together a story, incorporate elements into it that are common in NewYorker type stuff, nothing too difficult, nothing nearly honest enough. Not to say that it isn't good reading and that the stories are fluffy, they are not. They are well written, they just leave something to be desired, and I feel a bit like something false is thrown at me.
Rating: 
Summary: Unfair
Review: It's not fair that Jhumpa Lahiri is so insanely talented AND ridiculously beautiful. I keep reading the stories and then looking back at the author photograph and thinking, unfair, unfair, unfair. The oddest thing is that Lahiri doesn't write like the youngster she is. There's a serenity about her prose-- not that it's boring or sedate, far from it, but she doesn't need to show off. Like Joe DiMaggio, she's good enough to make it look easy (and I bet that's the first time anyone compared Jhumpa Lahiri to Joltin' Joe). While so many of her contemporaries are feverishly screwing with the margins, inserting page-long footnotes and multi-color font, Lahiri writes with the classical assurance of a master. The comparisons to Jane Austen are, perhaps, premature (we've yet to see if Lahiri can pull off a sustained narrative with the grace and genius of Austen), but certainly this book points to future greatness. Note: If this is my wife reading this, please skip the first paragraph.
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Summary: Teller of Great Stories
Review: It has been a while since a book's touched me this much. I'd put this collection of short stories on the same level as Denis Johnson's "Jesus' Son" or Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried." Unlike those two works, this one is not a connected arc of stories with recurring characters -- a quasi-novel -- but they are linked thematically: an in-depth look into the lives of displaced people in various stages of isolation. Lahiri sees these stories so clearly, you can almost feel the groove she's in. I read the first, "A Temporary Matter," in the New Yorker a year or so ago and remembered thinking: "Man, she's got it." Not only does she have it in that story, it's everywhere in this collection. Lahiri's insight into man-woman relationships is so very sharp, maybe the sharpest I've ever seen. The strongest story: "The Third and Final Continent." Much like the final stories in the abovementioned collections (Johnson's "Beverly Home" and O'Brien's "xxx"), this story lifts you right up, a fantastic ending to the collection. The weakest story: "The Treatment of Bibi Haldar." It's a fine story, but I never connected with it like I did with the other nine, maybe because it was written in the first person plural (Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," Jeffrey Eugenides' "The Virgin Suicides). "Treatment" and "A Real Durwan" are similar in the way they almost read like fables than closely-observed stories. 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. - SJW
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Summary: Poetry without Depth
Review: I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked her narrative; her description of the setting is very detailed and maintains a poetic flow. You can practically visualize the scene. However, I felt the stories themselves could not stand up very well on their own. Mostly every story seemed to begin and end w/ the description of the setting. It was as if the stories themselves had no point; they were created to accomodate the setting. Most of her stories seemed to lack depth; but perhaps that was due to the way she portrayed her characters as being too superficial. I didnt like most of her characters, and I didnt find their actions justifiable. The author provided no depth to her characters. Just 2-dimensional figures. This was what disappointed me.
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Summary: Delightfully Refreshing....
Review: This book comes like a wonderful breather, portraying experiences that are so universal yet dealt with in a style that is so natural and lucid.The writer has a wonderful way with words which touches one and all by the sheer irony of the experiences that the characters go through. The characters transcend time and space to reveal the quintessential human nature in all it's various forms.The events could happen to anyone, anywhere. Probably, therein lies the universality of the stories. Reading the book you emerge deeply touched.We have here one of those rare breed of writers who has the promise to deliver more in the years to come.Highly recommended for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Don't read this review, read the book
Review: I don't want to give five stars to Jhumpa Lahiri because I feel that if I do, there will be no place left for improvement (not that there is). "Interpreter of Maladies" is probably one of the best short story collections I have ever read in my life. Unlike many of my other favorite authors (let's say Marquez), Lahiri is consistent in her quality of writing throughout the book. At a first glance her themes seem very commonplace, but her language is so eloquent, her sense of mood and detail so subtle, that everything simple turns into profound. The next day I had finished reading Lahiri's book, she won the Pulitzer Prize -- but again, who cares. The only thing that matters to me is that Lahiri has given me a new hope in modern literature. Enjoy!
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Summary: Great Job!
Review: I loved this book! Lahiri slipped with ease from Indian life to life in New England. The stories were clear and realistic, depicting very typical Indian and Bengali traditions. I enjoyed "The Third and Final Contintent," "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine," and "Mrs. Sen's." They all seemed very well-written and enjoyable. I would recommend this book to anyone! Congratulations on the Pulitzer Prize and great job, Jhumpa Lahiri!
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Summary: Two words: Electrifying
Review: I'm 58, and have loved reading books about Indians for the past few decades of my life. I choose to read Indian Literature for simply one reason: 1) it is better written and 2) it is electrifying. The author of this book is electrifying, hence the five stars. I am mad at Amazon. com for not making a higher rating...because baby, I'd give it to ya'!
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Summary: Congrats on the Pulitzer but ...............
Review: As an US educated professional of Indian descent (originally a Bengali from Kolkata), I typically do not like reading books by Indian writers who write in English because most of these writers tend to "Trash" India for the western audience. I characterize these writers as "Self Hating Indians". These folks perpetuate the old stereoptype about India: the land of poverty, snakes, elephant gods yada yada yada ! (It's like only writing about the homeless people in New York and not talk about the other wonderful aspects of Manhattan) Nobody writes about the educated middle class in India (I am a product of that upbringing - I was educated by the Jesuits in India - I'm also a Hindu Bramhin) who are cosmopolitan folks and the other terrific aspects of India such as "Bangalore - the Indian Silicone Valley". Lahiri's book was a refreshing change because she didn't follow the beaten track of other "Self Hating Indian" writers like Arundhuti Roy. I read Lahiri's book - the stories were well-crafted but nothing to go bonkers about. I'm happy for her success but we'll have to wait and see if she is the real thing or a just a flash in the pan.
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