The Namesake Resources

Jump into Jhumpa's world. Her website includes a biography, links to interviews, and information about her books.

Want to know what goes on behind the scenes of writing a novel? Lahiri discusses The Namesake in this interview, in which you can read all about her inspirations.

This feature focuses on the movie version, but a couple of the fun facts apply to the novel as well, and some of them have to do with Lahiri's life and family, which in many ways sound eerily familiar to the Gangulis.

This critically acclaimed adaptation of the novel stars Kal Penn.

If you have a subscription to The New Yorker, well then today's your lucky day. Take a look at the original publication of Lahiri's short story "Gogol," which was incorporated into the novel.

Down for a download? Then get your hands on this video version of an interview with our author.

You can hear (and see) Lahiri read from an unfinished novel in this 2011 clip, which also features author Jonathan Franzen (he's kind of a big deal). Skip to 4:22 to hear Lahiri introduce the piece, and read.

Everyone's favorite interviewer (okay, maybe just Shmoop's) Fresh Air's Terry Gross chats with the author. The segment opens with Lahiri reading from The Namesake.

Gogol, you're not alone. As it turns out, living in America isn't always so easy for Jhumpa Lahiri, either. Hear her open up about it in this segment. She also discusses the relationship between her life and work: "I feel that with each new story, or book, I do feel that I'm able to confront the truth of my life with a little more honesty."

See the lady Lahiri herself. After reading her novel, you'll see that she's as insightful as she looks.

Big Deal Alert! Jhumpa Lahiri appeared on the front of New York Magazine's Culture Pages section.

Here's a screen grab from the movie version. Gogol might have more friends if he had a less unfortunate haircut, but that's just a theory.