Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

Clues to describe this book: Self Identity, Struggles, Family Values, Returning to the Past

Review: This is the second book I have read from Jhumpa Lahari and so far it’s my favorite from her. Unaccustomed Earth is a collection of eight short stories. This book is extremely deep, heartbreaking, and will take an emotional toll on you so be sure to have a box of Kleenex nearby. My favorite stories from this collection are Unaccustomed Earth, Hell and Heaven, and Year’s End. The characters are so well-developed and keep your interest throughout each story. Jhumpa’s ability to write in various POVs is quite remarkable. Some critics may argue that she sheds an unflattering light to Indian Bengalis and while this may be true, all of her stories are often relatable to the human struggle we all face in this world. I could not put this book down and I finished this in a matter of four days. I would highly recommend this book especially if you have any interest in South Asian culture.