Nonfiction
Verdict: Read it if you have any interest at all in language
This was a different type of work from Jhuma Lahiri. Everyone is familiar with her brilliant novels. This is definitely not a novel. It's a peek into her personal life and her journey to move to Italy and learn Italian. Not superficial street Italian, the kind where she can read, write, and be truly fluent.
As someone that has spent 6 years slowly wandering around learning Hindi, as well as moving to a different country, I found her manifesto on the joys and frustrations of mastering a new language very familiar. Her refreshingly honest look at how long and difficult it is to become fluent and competent in a language makes the reader contemplate how difficult communication can be when the familiar words are taken away and one is left floundering to find the correct word to express one's feelings - an essential thing for any writer.
This probably won't appeal to everyone, but for those interested in Language, writing, and communication, it's well worth the time for this short work.
Becky
Verdict: Read it if you have any interest at all in language
This was a different type of work from Jhuma Lahiri. Everyone is familiar with her brilliant novels. This is definitely not a novel. It's a peek into her personal life and her journey to move to Italy and learn Italian. Not superficial street Italian, the kind where she can read, write, and be truly fluent.
As someone that has spent 6 years slowly wandering around learning Hindi, as well as moving to a different country, I found her manifesto on the joys and frustrations of mastering a new language very familiar. Her refreshingly honest look at how long and difficult it is to become fluent and competent in a language makes the reader contemplate how difficult communication can be when the familiar words are taken away and one is left floundering to find the correct word to express one's feelings - an essential thing for any writer.
This probably won't appeal to everyone, but for those interested in Language, writing, and communication, it's well worth the time for this short work.
Becky
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