Literature review: The Namesake by Jumpa Lahiri

Gogol is the son of two immigrants from India.  His parents want to keep the traditions of India as they work to become Americans.  Yet Gogol is embarrassed by his parent's pining for home, and embarks on his own journey, one that takes him through a confusing maze of American desires and divided loyalties between family and self.  Gogol is not an Indian name; it is Russian, and it is the story of how his name came to be that finally steers Gogol-- if not in the right direction, at least toward a port he can call home.  This is a lush, brilliant work that is an essential read.