Interpreter of Maladies

This book explores the cultural divide between Indian tradition and modern society. Through touching stories, Jhumpa Lahiri's characters navigate love beyond generations and culture. In "A Temporary Matter," a young Indian-American couple deals with heartbreak while their neighborhood is in chaos. In the title story, an interpreter hears an astonishing confession while guiding an American family through their ancestors' India. Lahiri's descriptive prose is reminiscent of Anita Desai, with a depth that recalls Mavis Gallant.