Interpreter of Maladies

Rating:
Summary: Delicate and moving
Review: Like many other reviewers here, I first saw Ms. Lahiri's work in the New Yorker; I, however, was not the least bit disappointed by Interpreter of Maladies, and found the stories very enjoyable. Perhaps I'm not as jaded by the supposed onslaught of Asian and Asian-American writers as other readers seem to be, or perhaps I didn't expect as much from this collection, but I found very little to dislike in this book, and quite a bit that moved and delighted me. The closing paragraph of "The Third and Final Continent" is a small gem in itself, reminiscent of the best in the fictional-memoir tradition of writers like Marcel Proust and James Agee.

So... if you're looking for some light but well-crafted summer reading, I highly recommend Interpreter of Maladies.

Rating:
Summary: Cancel your subscription to the New Yorker!
Review: It is truly a wonder to see the hype that can be created around utter mediocrity! "The Interpreter of Maladies" is average at best; stereotypical, insensitive, and superficial at its worst. Lahiri sheds little or no light on any major issues surrounding the Asian American community other than the belabored "immigrating to the West" catchprase that has faded with use. It is so surprising to me that this legacy left by Rushdie/Naipaul/Desani has spawned an incredibly large amount of peripheral writing from "new Indian writers" that misses the point entirely, or repeats ad nauseum how life has changed with annoying melodrama. And because of all the attention the media has focused on Lahiri's subject matter (which happens to be fashionable, hip, and trendy right now), they have overlooked the importance of good writing plumbing deep and sensitively into its subject matter. To me, Lahiri's stories say nothing (and I'm Indian!) and I can't see how anyone who has given the diaspora any serious thought can vouch for her empathy in matters related to it. The tag of "Indian writing" should not have carte blanche access to the club of serious fiction. And in the case of "Maladies," (with no personal affront to the writer...), the credit given to the offering is in gross disproportion to its merit.

Rating:
Summary: never again
Review: Perhaps it is not Ms. Lahiri's fault that I was expecting something more than the competent stories and details of "Indianness," so touted by the New Yorker, whose fiction editor appears to be more interested in a writer as a photogenic young woman or hip young man than as an artist with a truly complex, mature cultural vision. My expectations as a reader came, once more, from my being stupid enough to be suckered, once more, by the highly corrupt publishing industry. Example: I now hazard a guess that Ms. Lahiri (whose editor also edits Best American Short Stories), will appear (surprise!) in the 1999 anthology. I'm not buying it. Never again!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I'd been eagerly awaiting this after having read Ms. Lahiri's stories in the New Yorker...and further, as an Indian-American, I am always interested in and frequently disappointed by the perspective offered by writers of the same background. But, Lahiri does not disappoint--she beautifully illustrates themes of estrangement, passion, and all else and is a wonderful writer. Read this!

Rating:
Summary: Tedious in its trite depictions of "Indianness"!
Review: A book that shows little or no skill with the wielding of words or language. All it has going for it is the banal approach to immigration and ideas of nationality. It quite put me to sleep!!

Rating:
Summary: trite
Review: To superficially describe the "atmosphere" and "everydayness" of places and things is, shall we say, a mean feat. This book, like so many others claiming to depict ("represent", even) "the myriad experiences of Life", shies away from anything resembling ambition. Which, of course, would be bad, because "ordinary people" - as portrayed by Ms. Lahiri - are sad, spineless, pathetic creatures who are too scared to explore anything, whether language or relationships in ways that might be unpleasant or make for out-of-body experiences. Ms. Lahiri seems to have invented an audience that is clearly stupid, joyless (think BIG joy) and lacking in originality. If the counter-argument is made that, in fact, people ARE pathetic, I can only ask whether the medium *must* so compulsively follow the message. "The Interpreter of Maladies" is a celebration of petty craftsmanship at best, and mediocrity at worst.

Rating:
Summary: Simplistic and naive!!
Review: These stories cater to the simple-minded reader. There is absolutely no creative use of language; the writing comes off in a most unnatural manner. Also there is a trite quality to most of the stories. If you love language you will be aghast by this collection. Lahiri is certainly not a writer's writer!! "There are times I am bewildered by each mile I have traveled, each meal I have eaten, each person I have known, each room in which I have slept." Does the migrant experience have to be expressed in so banal a manner???

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have read in a long time
Review: I recently read the story "The Third and Final Continent" in the New Yorker, the strength of that one story made me go out and buy her book. Lahiri has focused on many Indian characters but I truly feel that her stories transcend any and all boarders. Her characters speak to everyone about what it is like to feel out of place in your own home. The title character in "Mrs. Sen's" is so sad, and yet strangely hopeful. I don't think that there are many people out there who haven't felt the emotions conveyed in this book at some point in their lives. I have already recommended her to all of my friends, and I recommend her to anyone who reads this review.

Rating:
Summary: Overrated simply because of its "Indianness"
Review: Overly simplistic, pointless and verging on Indian history 101. Read them and you come away saying "What ?" At best, they belong to the "women's magazines" of old, under their "Story of the Week" column. India is "in" for now. Such writers wouldn't get a second look if it weren't.

Rating:
Summary: At long last.
Review: Like other readers commenting here, I was also blown away by her stories in the New Yorker. It is almost amazing that this book was worth the long wait as I had very high expections. It is difficult to comment without sounding trite, this book is that good. Stop what you are doing and buy it.