Almost

Hand series. Day four.

This symbolizes how these last few days have been. There's always a 'but...' Such situations do have interesting consequences.

I was reading a story from Jhumpa Lahiri's latest book 'Unaccustomed Earth.' She comes from a part of the world I know very well of. Her writing has certain underlying values we had been brought up with. We were as much of the world as we were Bengalis. Yet, there are certain qualities of her writing, that I am not a great fan of, and not entirely sure she is entitled to the acclaim she receives. All of her writing deals with Bengalis who emigrated to the West, most of whom hold PhD degrees. Now that is a very small section of people with rather specific issues. Yet, in all three of her books, these have been her characters. The way sometimes conversaation is evaded, and even when unpleasant situations are only hinted upon through flashback, there is a certain sense of escapism that comes through.

Her writing is autobiographical in the sense that it deals with an immigrant's search for an identity, which is often a complex issue, especially for cultures that have deep-rooted traditions and a prosperous history.

But anyway, my point is this: It was suddenly refreshing today to find how meticulously her writing captures the smallest of details, most of which are overlooked as mundane; especially when you are skimming through things in a fast paced world, her writing urges you to stop, stand back and take notice. Perhaps I shall try and get hold of her book after all.