3.5 stars. Jhumpa Lahiri's "The Namesake" is a multigenerational but intimate tale in which the Bengali custom of having a pet/familiar name and a good/formal name is used to explore themes of identity, family, freedom, connection, becoming, and belonging as an Indian American immigrant family. It has a strong presence and sense of place and culture, and it feels ... quietly important. A little more important than enjoyable. Like I should analyze themes and metaphors and turn in a 10-page paper on it by Friday. I mean, it would be an excellent paper — there's plenty to analyze (the English major in me couldn't help but highlight passages throughout). There's also plenty to just experience and eavesdrop on. But there isn't plenty of joy. The highs and the lows are muted, elided, off-screen. In a way, I appreciate that. It feels immersive without being too voyeuristic and it reinforces the theme of connection and disconnection. In another way, I selfishly want the quiet importance to be punctuated by moments of joy, especially in a book-length treatment like this.⁣ (The author's previous, Pulitzer-winning, work was a collection of short stories called "Interpreter of Maladies".)