Jhumpa Lahiri ​

Jhumpa Lahiri is an American author known for her short stories, novels and essays in English, and more recently, in Italian. Born in London but raised in Rhode Island, her debut collection of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2000. Her novel The Namesake was also adapted into a film of the same name.

Quick Facts ​

• Stories are often based on her personal experiences and her Indian-American heritage.
• Her debut short story collection, Interpreter of Maladies, won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
• Her first novel, The Namesake, was adapted into a popular film.
• Teaches creative writing at Princeton University.
• Received a National Humanities medal from President Obama in 2014.

Background ​

Lahiri was born in 1967 in London, the daughter of Indian immigrants from West Bengal. She grew up in Rhode Island and, from the age of seven, knew she wanted to be a writer. She received a B.A. in English literature from Barnard College in 1989, and later obtained multiple degrees from Boston University: an M.A. in English, M.F.A. in Creative Writing, M.A. in Comparative Literature and a Ph.D. in Renaissance Studies.

Her debut short story collection, Interpreter of Maladies, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2000. Her first novel, The Namesake, was adapted into a film of the same name. Lahiri has also taught creative writing at Princeton University and the University of Rome. Her works often explore themes of Indian immigration, family, and identity.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Lahiri’s writing style is celebrated for its lyrical, evocative prose and precise attention to detail. Her work often explores themes of identity, conflict of cultural heritage, and the immigrant experience. She has been honored for her ability to portray the complexities of cultural assimilation and the feelings of alienation that often accompany it. Her work greatly contributes to the prominent representation of Indian diaspora in the literary world.

Notable Works ​

• Interpreter of Maladies (1999)
• The Namesake (2003)
• Unaccustomed Earth (2008)
• The Lowland (2013)