Jhumpa Lahiri's In Other Words - Review

In Other Words by Lahiri was published in 2015 in Italian as In Altre Parole. The English version came out on 2016,translated by Ann Goldstein.

Reading the book feels like reading the diary of a person who loves Italian. To begin with, the table of contents almost feels like you will delve into a love story.

It chronicles the hesitant steps of a wonder-eyed, eager person into the vast, intimidating ocean of  a language and the ripples it creates in the person's learning process. As you read, you can see yourself in place of Lahiri, understanding her fervor. The apprehension of  a new place(she moves to Italy), of a new culture and of always the thread which joins the person and the place, the language.

All of us have learned languages ,some as our native ones ,some additional ones in school and in later years, as a curiosity or fascination  to learn another. In all of these there is a always the technical details of treading the grammar,vocabulary, the uncertainties and the little victories. Lahiri recounts it all in her journey of studying Italian.

The book,however, isn't a guide book to a language. Its a love affair with it. This love becomes symbolic of her love for Italy,her discovery of the place and of herself.

In Other Words refrains from over glorifying Italian or the country, is not a travel book,so the focus remains on Lahiri's relationship with Italian. A great read for those who want to understand what it is to get out of one's comfort zone.

The week that has been - Gorgeous mansions and a failed movie plan.

A week of unexpected happenings. The week before was a calm lake with boring albeit relaxing days.

Planning never works and I never learn. Which was proved yet again by a failed movie watching plan. We were supposed to go for Stork and as it happens we now have time and no other engagements but the movie is no longer in theatres. Humph!

Cooking wise however I gained a level ahead in my make believe Home Masterchef scene. Made Kerala beef curry which turned out exactly how I wanted it. And how do I know that? Family asked for seconds and it finished in two days time. Now if only there was a cash prize....

I also baked up yummy( being really honest and modest) Chocolate Lava Muffins. I dont have them ramekins so had to innovate and Google for the muffin version. Got the BakeLikeaPro link and I like that guy! :)

Durga Puja was in full swing in India and since the sad expat in me had made myself stopped missing all the colours and fun, I realised the best thing was to not concentrate too much on the rosogullas and festivities pics online. Then the idiot box decided to rake in the puja mood and ofcourse showed the apt movies. Parineeta and the classic ,Balika Badhu. TRPs are based on emotion my friend! And I will miserably watch such next Puja too! Though not the best window, I feel the right movies are a great way in portraying culture and customs.
I am a sucker for old movies and like wine ,the more aged the reel is the more I love them. I shall soon write about Balika Badhu on my movie page

 

 Parineeta 

Also loved this Jamshedpur pandal pic by my bestie Rashmi on her Instagram page. I miss Jamshedpur, the steel city and all the childhood goodness.

And so the weekend was dedicated to traversing on new culinary trails. Tried two new restaurants an Italian and a Thai.

Melenzane in Gharrafa,Doha has a small though diverting ambience. You will mistake it for a gym with its rugged get up.

We had Pollo Bella - grilled chicken and pepperoni sandwich, pic of which is missing because I ate it up before I decided to click. We also had Pollo Parmigiana - grilled chicken breast with pink pasta. This is what my husband ordered and he has more self control than I have, Perfect photogenic guy, in my book! :) We loved everything.

                         

The Ban Thai restaurant in Muaither, Doha was the discovery of our dear friend Roldao and I will believe that friends who love to eat are of the best kind!
Any cuisine in its authentic habit is the best. We may be limited in scope by the country we stay in and also by our taste buds which are tuned to either our native flavors or preferences. Despite all this if a restaurant can make you think otherwise,then its a winner.
We had the crab, seafood salad and some rice. I did not want to order the green Thai curry as I wanted to try something new. Everything was delicious.

 Squid salad

 Prawns and more

The week rounded off with a midnight park visit to a hidden gem. The West Bay park is small and delightful. We had coffee and chocolate cake with us. Perfect

 



 

I am currently reading a Hindi book , Meri Teri Uski Baat by Yashpal . I had studied Hindi in school but over the years the habit of reading Hindi literature waned away. One of my favourite authors is Premchand and when I bought one of his, the love for hindi lettering was rekindled.

This book is about the lives of families and friends in Lucknow, India during the Independence movement. Though based in that time, its isnt focussed much on the political scene but rather on daily lives of the characters and how the passing years amalgamate with the freedom struggle

Some interesting links I found :

Must I say those mansions of Sidhpur are wallpaper worthy.

http://www.natgeotraveller.in/in-photos-the-magnificent-mansions-of-the-bohras-of-sidhpur/

I am slowly gearing up to be a podcast person. First I chanced upon the nofilterNeha channel on Saavn(app) which has gossipy but fun podcasts and then the SoundCloud channels.

https://soundcloud.com/the-real-food-podcast/36-stainless-steel-kitchens-iron-clad-memories

Thoughts of past week

A clean house makes you think better and saves time to indulge in your hobbies. You need not be a Monica of Friends but simple tidying definitely clears up clutter of the mind more than the room.

Bookstagram is getting on my nerves. And I still do it. Hah! but really whats with all the coffee cups?

Parents ,esp of this generation really need to get their priorities straightened. Its all nice to take care of yourself and find the 'me' in daily life but the kid is 'yours'. Responsibility is the word here.

Stepping into another week.