The Namesake is a book written by Jhumpa Lahiri. It revolves around the life of 'Gogol', the son of a Bengali couple who migrated to the USA. He had been named after his father's favourite author, Nikolai Gogol. But he did not accept it and disliked it. On attaining adulthood, he changes it to 'Nikhil'. He pursues a course in architecture, in which he is deeply interested. He marries a young Bengali woman (who is also an immigrant), but is soon divorced at the age of 32. His family members travel all over the world. Finally, he sets up his own architecture firm.
Though this is a novel about an ordinary Indian family in America, yet it is heartwarming. It sets an example for a wife and husband through Gogol's parents, while Gogol himself portrays a son who wants to be independent. He strives to be different from his parents and adopts the American culture, but later realises their importance and sacrifices made by them. It teaches us that a name has no impact on one's identity and destiny.
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