Sunday, April 22, 2007

Buzzing about....The Namesake

THE NAMESAKE:

This book/movie is close to my heart for several reasons. First of all, the family the story portrays in a Bengali family from East India. That's the same city where my family is from and the earlier parts of the book/movie pretty much depict my parents' early years in the U.S. down to the T.

Also, this is a story by an Indian-American author which has done phenominally well and I hope to touch even 5% of that kind of success one day :)

Third, I really loved the book and the movie...which is rare. Usually the movie sucks if the book is good, or the book is boring if the movie is good.

Without further adiue, I present to you THE NAMESAKE: This is the poignant love story of Ashima and Ashok, two immigants from Calcutta, India who fall in love after their arranged marriage during the '70s in New York City. They have a son, Gogol, named after the famous Russian writer, Nikolai Gogoal, Ashok's favorite writer--the man he credits to have saved his life.

Gogol fights his way through his teenage years between his parents' world of tradition and the East, and the western world he lives in. Only after a tragedy touches their family, does he understand what needs to be done.

Both book and movie are touching, funny, sad, and extremely honest. I would highly suggest you check out the movie...and if you like it, grab the book. Or the other way around. Both stories are independent yet related but each stand on their own as complete.

In the movie, the role of Gogol is played by the immensely talented Kal Penn, formerly known as Kumar in HAROLD AND KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE. Kumar is gone in this movie and he is replaced by a strong, handsome young man who does justice to his role.

So, check it out! And if you've seen it, let me know what you think!

--Dona
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HOW TO SALSA IN A SARI -- January 2008 release from Harlequin's Kimani Tru
http://donasarkarmishra.com
dona@donasarkarmishra.com

5 comments:

Simone Elkeles said...

Dona,

You totally made me want to go out and see it/read it right now! I'm absolutely going to! And I can't wait until your book comes out...what's the date again?

~Simone

TinaFerraro said...

Ditto, Dona, this is sure a compelling review!

stephhale said...

Dona,
This movie sounds amazing, can't wait to check it out. It's hard to imagine Kal playing anyone but Kumar! :)
xo,
steph

Me said...

I'm dying of curiosity to find out how Gogoal saved the dad's life!
Hugs,
TLC

Heather Davis said...

I heard about this movie, Dona! Now I have to go see it (or read it!)

Hugs,

Heather