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This is my second attempt at Jhumpa Lahiri and again a DNF. Her prose is fluid and on point, details well observed. Authentic characters & much to read between the lines. But the tone is too cool and remote for me (no places or characters are named). So I was not invested even though I love Rome and this should be the perfect setting to immerse myself in. An outsider‘s perspective & bleak re Italy not welcoming immigrants.

#BookReport 08/24

I bailed on Sparsholt but other than that I had a great week. I read a lot and I loved both Roman Stories and These Silent Woods. I enjoyed Strangers and Tom Lake too.

This is a short story collection set in or around Rome. Returning themes are immigration, aging, racism, nostalgia and the empty nest and these themes are much more present than the city. Other than the heat it doesn‘t feel like Rome brings it all together. Never mind however, each story is fantastic and I wanted none of them to end. My new favorite Lahiri!

Thank you so much for choosing this book for me Helen 🤍

4⭐️/5⭐️

Drop everything and read this collection!!!!!!!! What a gift and privilege it is to be among Lahiri‘s majesty and talent. This collection is simply stunning! There is no better short story writer than Lahiri! She is the master!!!! This collection is perfection! Hands down the best read of 2023!

Lahiri is like a 3star Michelin chef of literature. Whatever she writes is perfect. She is & always will be one of the best writers of our time. Still, I wish there was more to the plots, the stories are variations on the same themes & the setting Rome didn‘t change that.

Great! She writes so well - from the perspective of Italians whose families have been living in Rome for generations go newer Roman families - expats and immigrants. Such a beautiful and honest look at a city that she obviously loves

I‘d love to spend my Saturday reading with Molly, but the reality was 5 loads of laundry and 5 errands. However I did finish this short story collection.

My critique is the same as with her other Italian books: She just doesn‘t seem connected to life there yet. I always felt her characters were at arms length except for the final story, which was about an American in Italy. She explored the Indian immigrant experience in Italy, which was neat.

First collection of short stories from the wonderful Jhumpa Lahiri translated from the Italian

New Jhumpa Lahiri collection coming in October! (I admit I didn't love Whereabouts but I'm hoping this is a return to form.)