Summary
Interpreter of Maladies is a collection of nine short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri, first published in 1999. The book was an immediate critical and commercial success, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award in 2000. With over 15 million copies sold worldwide, it launched Lahiri's career as one of the most acclaimed Indian-American authors of her generation.
The stories in Interpreter of Maladies explore the experiences of Indian immigrants and Indian-Americans caught between their cultural roots and adopted homeland. Lahiri deftly portrays characters grappling with issues of identity, belonging, and the complexities of cross-cultural relationships. Her precise, elegant prose and keen insights into the immigrant experience resonated with readers and critics alike.
The book's enduring popularity and literary significance have cemented its place as a modern classic of multicultural American literature. Lahiri's nuanced depiction of the Indian diaspora experience continues to feel timely and relevant over two decades after its initial publication.
Plot
Interpreter of Maladies is a collection of nine short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri that explore the experiences of Indian and Indian-American characters navigating cultural divides. In the title story, an Indian-American couple hires a tour guide in India named Mr. Kapasi, who works as an interpreter at a doctor's office. During their tour, Mrs. Das confides a painful secret to Mr. Kapasi, hoping he can interpret her feelings, but he is unable to provide the absolution she seeks.
In “A Temporary Matter,” a married couple whose relationship has deteriorated after a stillbirth reconnects during nightly power outages, sharing secrets in the dark. “When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine” follows a young Indian-American girl's growing awareness of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War through her parents' Pakistani dinner guest. “Mrs. Sen's” depicts an Indian woman struggling to adapt to life in America as she babysits an American boy.
"This Blessed House” portrays newlyweds Sanjeev and Twinkle as they move into a new home and discover Christian artifacts left by previous owners, causing tension in their relationship. In “The Treatment of Bibi Haldar,” a woman with a mysterious illness is shunned by her community until she becomes pregnant under unclear circumstances. “Sexy” follows an American woman's affair with a married Indian man and her growing understanding of infidelity's impact.
"A Real Durwan” tells of an elderly woman who works as a “durwan” (doorkeeper) in a Calcutta apartment building, entertaining residents with stories of her past wealth until she is cast out. The final story, “The Third and Final Continent,” traces an Indian immigrant's journey from Calcutta to London to Boston, where he finds an unexpected connection with his elderly landlady before his arranged wife arrives from India.
Themes
Cultural identity and assimilation
Isolation and loneliness
Marriage and relationships
Communication and miscommunication
Immigrant experiences
Loss and grief
Tradition versus modernity
Setting
Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies takes place primarily in the late 20th century, spanning locations in India and the United States. The stories are set against the backdrop of an era marked by increasing globalization and cultural exchange between East and West, as well as the complex dynamics of the Indian diaspora.
Several stories unfold in urban and suburban areas of the northeastern United States, particularly in and around Boston. These American settings serve as spaces where Indian immigrants and their children navigate the challenges of assimilation and cultural identity. Other stories are set in various parts of India, including Calcutta and rural villages, providing glimpses into both contemporary Indian life and the ancestral homeland that many characters long for or struggle to understand.
Within these broader geographical contexts, Lahiri zooms in on intimate domestic spaces - apartments, houses, and temporary accommodations - where much of the emotional drama of her characters' lives unfolds. The author pays careful attention to the details of these environments, using them to illuminate the inner lives of her characters and the cultural tensions they experience. Whether in a New England suburb or a Calcutta apartment building, the settings become integral to exploring themes of belonging, displacement, and the search for connection across cultural divides.
Characters
Shukumar and Shoba: Main characters in “A Temporary Matter.” A married Indian-American couple grieving the loss of their stillborn baby. Their relationship has grown distant, but they reconnect briefly during nightly power outages. Shukumar is a graduate student, while Shoba works as a proofreader. Their story explores themes of loss, communication, and marital discord.
Mr. Kapasi: Main character in “Interpreter of Maladies.” An Indian tour guide and part-time interpreter at a doctor's office. Middle-aged and disillusioned with his marriage, he develops a brief infatuation with Mrs. Das during a day tour. Mr. Kapasi grapples with his own desires and the cultural divide between himself and the Indian-American tourists.
Mr. and Mrs. Das: Main characters in “Interpreter of Maladies.” An Indian-American couple visiting India with their children. They appear immature and disconnected from their cultural heritage. Mrs. Das reveals a secret to Mr. Kapasi, hoping he can interpret her feelings and ease her guilt.
Miranda: Main character in “Sexy.” A young American woman who has an affair with a married Indian man named Dev. Through her experiences, she learns about Indian culture and ultimately realizes the implications of her actions.
Mrs. Sen: Main character in “Mrs. Sen's.” An Indian woman adjusting to life in America as she cares for an American boy named Eliot after school. She struggles with homesickness and learning to drive, clinging to memories of her life in Calcutta.
Boori Ma: Main character in “A Real Durwan.” An elderly Bengali woman who works as a “durwan” (doorkeeper) in a Calcutta apartment building. She tells elaborate stories about her past life of wealth, though the residents doubt their veracity. Her story explores themes of class, community, and the impact of modernization.
Lilia: Minor character in “When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine.” A young Indian-American girl who observes the friendship between her parents and Mr. Pirzada, learning about cultural differences and the impact of historical events on personal lives.
Twinkle and Sanjeev: Minor characters in “This Blessed House.” A newly married Indian-American couple who discover Christian artifacts in their new home. Their different reactions to these items highlight their contrasting personalities and approach to cultural assimilation.
Quick facts
The book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2000, making Lahiri the first Indian-American to win the award.
It also won the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award and was chosen as The New Yorker's Best Debut of the Year.
The collection contains nine short stories, three of which were originally published in The New Yorker.
The book has sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
Lahiri wrote most of the stories while studying creative writing at Boston University.
The title story “Interpreter of Maladies” was inspired by a real-life anecdote told to Lahiri by her cousin who worked as an interpreter.
Several stories in the collection draw from Lahiri's experiences as a child of Indian immigrants in America.
The book has been translated into over 35 languages.
It was Lahiri's first published book, released when she was 32 years old.
Oprah Winfrey selected Interpreter of Maladies for her book club, helping to boost its popularity.
About the Author
Jhumpa Lahiri is an acclaimed British-American author known for her poignant explorations of the Indian immigrant experience. Born in London in 1967 to Bengali parents and raised in Rhode Island, Lahiri's bicultural upbringing deeply influenced her writing. She earned multiple degrees from Boston University, including a Ph.D. in Renaissance Studies, before embarking on her literary career.
Lahiri burst onto the literary scene with her debut short story collection Interpreter of Maladies in 1999. The book was a critical and commercial success, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and establishing Lahiri as a major new voice in American literature. Her subsequent works, including the novel The Namesake and story collection Unaccustomed Earth, further cemented her reputation for insightful portrayals of Indian-American life and universal themes of identity, belonging, and family.
In 2012, Lahiri made a bold move by relocating to Rome and immersing herself in Italian language and culture. This linguistic journey led her to begin writing in Italian, resulting in works like In Other Words and the novel Whereabouts. Lahiri has also taken on the role of translator, compiling and translating The Penguin Book of Italian Short Stories and rendering some of her own Italian writings into English.
Throughout her career, Lahiri has received numerous accolades, including the PEN/Hemingway Award, the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award, and the National Humanities Medal. She has taught creative writing at Boston University, Princeton University, and most recently at her alma mater, Barnard College. Lahiri's elegant prose style, keen observations of cultural dynamics, and exploration of the immigrant narrative have made her one of the most respected and influential authors of her generation.
