The Namesake, The Innocent Man

Just finished reading these two novels - back to back. Very different, and both good in their own ways..


THE NAMESAKE
The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri, is fiction but inspired by lives of Indian Bengalis settled in the USofA.

The storyline is simple - it describes the lives of Indians who have spent time abroad, and more so, the first and second generation Indians who have settled down in the US, would be able to relate with it a lot. The narrative is very well woven - a very simple and different style of narrating. I think that's the biggest take-away.

I did find it odd that the protagonist(s) do not talk of themselves as Indians or Bengali Indians, but only as Bengalis. What's even more odd is how this Bengali family forms loads of friends, but not a single mention of non-Bengali Indians as friends - all their friends are only "Bengalis". I could relate with the book as an Indian, but for me during my US vists and stay, anything or anyone "Indian" was something to feel good about. Honestly, I found this a bit weird, and if there's one thing I'd like to see changed in the book, it's that solely regional reference. But then again, this may be based on a fact.


THE INNOCENT MAN
The Innocent Man is the first and only piece of non-fiction by John Grisham.

Very well written - I couldn't put the book down!

Very intense, and yet there was no time when I felt I should put the book down lest it leaves me feeling low/depressed. The depth and level of detail is as is typical of John Grisham work.

This being a true story, the research shows. The story is shocking and disturbing, and yet true. It's about how innocent people are framed practically every day - and how the justice machinery works the opposite of how it should. Very well written.