Book 38 - Go Forth and Be You

Title: The Lowland

Author: Jhumpa Lahiri

Genre: generational fiction

I can't speak to how it must be to grow up in a place like Calcutta, nor to not have the privilege of ignoring politics. That part of this book, as well as the experience of being an immigrant, I can only soak it all up.

What anyone can relate to, though, is all the ways that family history and trauma shape us - and Lahiri leaves the reader with a surprisingly hopeful message. The characters we follow all experience pain, yes, and hurt and intergenerational trauma. But instead of being crushed by it, I would argue that it molds them into exactly who they need to be.

Rating: 🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓