In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri
An intimate self-portrait that is compelling, insightful and charmingly honest - Lahiri’s documentation of her journey with Italian is akin to the most tender of romance novels. Each page is a dish on the table of an elaborate banquet I would like to sample again and again… and I would still find more to enjoy.
The Book
Charming, personal and incredibly honest; Lahiri’s first autobiographical book is an insightful read into the experience of someone whose mother tongue, dominant language and preferred language are totally different to each other.
Lahiri’s writing is lyrical, romantic, tender - as one would write a letter to a lover one is having an affair with. I truly enjoyed this book more than I thought I might, and learned a lot on the way. Not only is this a book about linguistics, it is also a book about belonging, dual nationality and people’s assumptions of outward appearances. I would recommend everyone to read this book not only because it is beautiful but also because it is so subtly informative in it’s views on so many social issues across societies the world over.
Ratings
Readability || ****
{ Readability: is the book easy to read, does it have simple yet effective language that is accessible and does it have a good flow}
Perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea - because this book is about learning and immersing oneself in a totally foreign language there are entire sections taken up with lists of Italian words which can feel a bit intense. However apart from this the language used is easy to comprehend, and each sentence flows into the next. It feels more like a conversation one would have over a dinner with a really good friend.
Structure || *****
Each ‘chapter’ is relatively short meaning that even if the content can sometimes feel a bit heavy there isn’t long to go until a natural pause. The story follows a general chronology which makes it easy to follow and despite the original piece being written in Italian the translation feels very natural.
Decadence || *****
Like a beautiful bowl of steaming hot lasagne, this book should be enjoyed with a glass of wine, windows open and a long lazy afternoon ahead for digesting.
Review Accuracy || ***
Hmmmm honestly I was slightly disappointed reading the reviews. There were a lot of people who - like me - adored it. But there were also people who a) took their knowledge of Greek mythology to an obnoxiously academic level or b) missed the point of it entirely and were bored by it.