Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri

 

This book is very unlike anything she had written before. It doesn't have a structured storyline-- it chronicles the life of a spinster living alone and her observations about her neighbours, acquaintances, friends and anyone who crosses paths with her. Her experiences aren't anything extraordinary either-- and that is what makes this book so special. You relate to her tedious life, her need to break the monotony and yet when her friend visits her, she finds herself wishing that her friend had visited alone without her family. We crave adventure and yet we detest changes. Everyday she meets familiar faces on the street and yet the experience is different. Someone is grumpy, another is facing a crisis in his life, someone fought with their wife. They know nothing about each other in spite of living down the street and yet when the cross paths, formalities are an obligation. You rarely come across a book which resonates with you on this level. Because the narrator can be you, me or anyone down the street.

Lahiri's writing as always is flawless. Only she can turn a book about everyday life into something beautiful. Although the narrator doesn't admit being lonely, I felt a sense of melancholy all the time while reading this book. I admit some people might find it tedious to get through even though its a short read. If slow paced books without a definite storyline seems to be your thing, this book is highly recommended.  This isn't her best work in my opinion but definitely worth a read.