Literary Fiction· United States
The Namesake
by Jhumpa LahiriAggregate Editorial Score35/100
ALA Notable Books
Published 2003301 pagesEnglish
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Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake (2003) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. Gogol Ganguli, the son of Indian immigrants in Massachusetts, struggles with his unusual name and his identity between two cultures. Lahiri's debut novel is a beautifully observed story of American immigration and generational change. Themes of Indian-American, identity, immigration run through the work. The book has received recognition from ALA Notable Books 2003.
Book Details
About the Category
📖 Literary Fiction
Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.
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🇺🇸 United States
This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.
Explore books from United States →Editorial Assessment
Jhumpa Lahiri published The Namesake in 2003, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from United States. The book's treatment of Indian-American, identity, immigration, family accounts for much of its enduring reputation.
Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Namesake among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: ALA Notable Books 2003. Our aggregate score of 35/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals.
What distinguishes The Namesake is how it handles its central concerns — Indian-American, identity, immigration, family — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it.
The Namesake reflects Jhumpa Lahiri's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United States's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
ALA Notable Books
notable · national
200313
Jhumpa Lahiri is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.
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