The Namesake Book Summary

Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

A Brief Overview:

• Named after Nikolai Gogol – a Russian author, Gogol Ganguli, an Indian-American boy is the centre of attraction of the novel Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. The story follows his constant struggle with his identity and multiculturalism, sense of belongingness and ultimately self-discovery.

Shift to the United States

The story opens in 1968 on an August evening with Ashima and Ashoke, who have recently shifted from Calcutta, India to Cambridge, Massachusetts and are expecting a child. Ashima induces an early labour and leaves for the hospital in a taxi accompanied by her husband.

Flashback in the Waiting Room

As Ashima is taken care of in the maternity ward, Ashoke sits in the waiting area. As he waits, he is taken aback by his chain of thoughts – he remembers his childhood, his urge to read and his near-death accident on a train to Jamshedpur while reading short stories by Nikolai Gogol.

Birth and Naming of Gogol

In the morning, Ashima gives birth to a baby boy. However, Ashima and Ashoke have not decided on a name yet. They are waiting on the suggestions from the elders. 

But, as it is time to depart from the hospital, they decide to use a temporary name. In haste, Ashoke named the baby boy after his favourite author – Gogol. 

Childhood of Gogol

As Gogol grows up in an Indian family in suburban America, he feels disconnected from his name and culture. Throughout his childhood, he struggles with culture clash and his identity. His name in particular embarrasses him and makes him feel like a misfit in American society.

Transitioning into American Culture

In his college years at Yale, to be part of his American friends, Gogol changes and adopts his name legally to Nikhil. Further, to detach himself from his family and Indian culture, he sets off on his own path. He goes on to date American girls to embrace American culture.

Gogol’s Search for Identity

 Despite changing his name and detachment from his family, Gogol is unable to completely immerse himself in American culture. He is somewhere in between.

After college, Gogol forms a relationship with Maxine Ratliff – an American woman of a wealthy background. He gets attracted to her affluent lifestyle but for a short time before they part their ways a year later due to cultural differences. 

Reconnecting With Heritage

Soon everything took a turn - the tragic demise of Gogol’s father left him in shock. His unresolved equation with Ashoke makes him reconsider his roots and connection with culture. 

 He spends time with his family and involves himself in the family traditions. Gogol also realizes the significance of why his father named him after the Russian author.

Marriage of Gogol

Post-breakup with Maxine, Ashima asks Gogol to meet Moushumi – a Bengali-American woman and daughter of her neighbours. 

Eventually, both of them tie the knot in New Jersey but this relationship is short-lived too. They face several challenges due to Moushumi’s infidelity which ultimately leads to divorce.  

Resolution and Self-Discovery

By the end of the novel, we see Gogol on his self-discovery journey to embrace the Indian culture. He accepts his roots and heritage. He goes to his house for one last time and gets his hands on the collection of short stories by Nikolai Gogol, which his father gifted him on his 14th birthday.

He sits in solace and reads his father’s inscription inside: "The man who gave you his name, from the man who gave you your name." With a deep breath, he starts reading – “The Overcoat” – the story that was paramount in his father’s life.