Jhumpa Lahiri is an Indian- American author. She was born on 11 July 1967 in London and is daughter of Indian immigrants from Bengal. She grew up in Kingston, Rhode island. She graduated from South Kingstown High school and later achieved multiple degrees in Boston university. In 2001, She married Alberto vourvoulias –Bush, A journalist who was then a deputy editor of “The Times”.
Interpreter of maladies
Lahiri’s short stories faced rejection from publishers for years. But, Finally in 1999, Her first short story composition was released. The short stories address sensitive dilemmas in the lives of Indians. Including themes such as miscarriages and martial difficulties. Also, the disconnection between first and second generation United States immigrants. It was highly praised by American critics and sold 600,000 copies. Also, it received the 2000 Pulitzer price for Fiction
The namesake
“The Namesake” was Lahiri’s first novel and was published in 2003. The story spans over thirty years in the Ganguli family. The Calcutta born parents emigrated as young adults to The United States Of America with their children Gongol and Sonia where they experienced the constant generational and cultural gap.
Lahiri made herself as a cameo “Aunt Jhumpa”.
Unaccustomed earth
“Unaccustomed Earth, Her second collection of novels was published on 1 April, 2008. It went to the number 1 spot just few days after it’s release on the New York best-seller list. It was praised a lot by all critics and masses and sold thousands and thousands of copies.
Achievements and awards * 1993 – TransAtlantic Award from the Henfield Foundation * 1999 – O. Henry Award for short story "Interpreter of Maladies" * 1999 – PEN/Hemingway Award (Best Fiction Debut of the Year) for "Interpreter of Maladies" * 1999 – "Interpreter of Maladies" selected as one of Best American Short Stories * 2000 – Addison Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters