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86 Awesome Quotes By Jhumpa Lahiri, The Author Of The Namesake

Famous As: American Author Best Known for Her Books: ‘Interpreter of Maladies’ and ‘Unaccustomed Earth’
Born On: July 11, 1967
Born In: London, England, United Kingdom
Age: 55 Years

Jhumpa Lahiri is an American author of Indian origin, who is particularly famous for her novels portraying the lives of immigrant families in the United States, and has won plenty of accolades throughout her career. Lahiri was born to immigrant parents in London and grew up in the United States. She considers herself an American and most of her work draws heavily from her experiences as an Indian-American growing up in the United States. She came into prominence in 2000 when her debut effort, a short story collection titled ‘Interpreter of Maladies’, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and since then she has not looked back. Among her novels, ‘The Namesake’ was well received and was later made into a movie, while ‘The Lowland, was also widely appreciated and was  shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize as well as the National Book Award for Fiction. Lahiri is without doubt one of the world’s most loved authors and here are some of the best quotes by her.

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That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.

That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Pet names are a persistant remnant of childhood, a reminder that life is not always so serious, so formal, so complicated. They are a reminder, too, that one is not all things to all people.

Pet names are a persistant remnant of childhood, a reminder that life is not always so serious, so formal, so complicated. They are a reminder, too, that one is not all things to all people.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Pack a pillow and blanket and see as much of the world as you can.You will not regret it.

Pack a pillow and blanket and see as much of the world as you can.You will not regret it.

Jhumpa Lahiri
She has the gift of accepting her life.

She has the gift of accepting her life.

Jhumpa Lahiri
My grandfather says that's what books are for,

My grandfather says that's what books are for," Ashoke said, using the opportunity to open the volume in his hands. "To travel without moving an inch.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Remember that you and I made this journey together to a place where there was nowhere left to go.

Remember that you and I made this journey together to a place where there was nowhere left to go.

Jhumpa Lahiri
One hand, five homes. A lifetime in a fist.

One hand, five homes. A lifetime in a fist.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Isolation offered its own form of companionship

Isolation offered its own form of companionship

Jhumpa Lahiri
Sexy means loving someone you do not know.

Sexy means loving someone you do not know.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Somehow, bad news, however ridden with static, however filled with echoes, always manages to be conveyed.

Somehow, bad news, however ridden with static, however filled with echoes, always manages to be conveyed.

Jhumpa Lahiri
And yet he had loved her. A Bookish girl heedless of her beauty, unconscious of her effect. She'd been prepared to live her life alone but from the moment he'd known her he'd needed her.

And yet he had loved her. A Bookish girl heedless of her beauty, unconscious of her effect. She'd been prepared to live her life alone but from the moment he'd known her he'd needed her.

Jhumpa Lahiri
You remind me of everything that followed.

You remind me of everything that followed.

Jhumpa Lahiri
She watched his lips forming the words, at the same time she heard them under her skin, under her winter coat, so near and full of warmth that she felt herself go hot.

She watched his lips forming the words, at the same time she heard them under her skin, under her winter coat, so near and full of warmth that she felt herself go hot.

Jhumpa Lahiri
In a world of diminishing mystery, the unknown persists.

In a world of diminishing mystery, the unknown persists.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Do what I will never do.

Do what I will never do.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Remember it always. Remember that you and I made this journey and went together to a place where there was nowhere left to go.

Remember it always. Remember that you and I made this journey and went together to a place where there was nowhere left to go.

Jhumpa Lahiri
That the last two letters in her name were the first two in his, a silly thing he never mentioned to her but caused him to believe that they were bound together.

That the last two letters in her name were the first two in his, a silly thing he never mentioned to her but caused him to believe that they were bound together.

Jhumpa Lahiri
She learned that an act intended to express love could have nothing to do with it. That her heart and her body were different things.

She learned that an act intended to express love could have nothing to do with it. That her heart and her body were different things.

Jhumpa Lahiri
With her own hand she'd painted herself into a corner, and then out of the picture altogether.

With her own hand she'd painted herself into a corner, and then out of the picture altogether.

Jhumpa Lahiri
On a sticky August evening two weeks before her due date, Ashima Ganguli stands in the kitchen of a Central Square apartment, combining Rice Krispies and Planters peanuts and chopped red onion in bowl.

On a sticky August evening two weeks before her due date, Ashima Ganguli stands in the kitchen of a Central Square apartment, combining Rice Krispies and Planters peanuts and chopped red onion in bowl.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Most people trusted in the future, assuming that their preferred version of it would unfold.

Most people trusted in the future, assuming that their preferred version of it would unfold.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Pet names are a persistent remnant of childhood, a reminder that life is not always so serious, so formal, so complicated.

Pet names are a persistent remnant of childhood, a reminder that life is not always so serious, so formal, so complicated.

Jhumpa Lahiri
She supposed that all those years of loving a person who was dishonest had taught her a few things.

She supposed that all those years of loving a person who was dishonest had taught her a few things.

Jhumpa Lahiri
War will bring the revolution; revolution will stop the war,

War will bring the revolution; revolution will stop the war,

Jhumpa Lahiri
With children the clock is reset. We forget what came before

With children the clock is reset. We forget what came before

Jhumpa Lahiri
He tries to peel the image from the sticky yellow backing, to show her the next time he sees her, but it clings stubbornly, refusing to detach cleanly from the past.

He tries to peel the image from the sticky yellow backing, to show her the next time he sees her, but it clings stubbornly, refusing to detach cleanly from the past.

Jhumpa Lahiri
A woman who had fallen out of love with her life

A woman who had fallen out of love with her life

Jhumpa Lahiri
...learning was an act of rediscovery, knowledge a form of remembering.

...learning was an act of rediscovery, knowledge a form of remembering.

Jhumpa Lahiri
The future haunted but kept her alive; it remained her sustenance and also her predator.

The future haunted but kept her alive; it remained her sustenance and also her predator.

Jhumpa Lahiri
There was the anxiety that one day would not follow the next, combined with the certainty that it would.

There was the anxiety that one day would not follow the next, combined with the certainty that it would.

Jhumpa Lahiri
It was only then, raising my water glass in his name, that I knew what it meant to miss someone who was so many miles and hours away, just as he had missed his wife and daughters for so many months.

It was only then, raising my water glass in his name, that I knew what it meant to miss someone who was so many miles and hours away, just as he had missed his wife and daughters for so many months.

Jhumpa Lahiri
She has given birth to vagabonds. She is the keeper of all these names and numbers now, numbers she once knew by heart, numbers and addresses her children no longer remember.

She has given birth to vagabonds. She is the keeper of all these names and numbers now, numbers she once knew by heart, numbers and addresses her children no longer remember.

Jhumpa Lahiri
She had listened to him, partly sympathetic, partly horrified. For it was one thing for her to reject her background, to be critical of her family's heritage, another to hear it from him.

She had listened to him, partly sympathetic, partly horrified. For it was one thing for her to reject her background, to be critical of her family's heritage, another to hear it from him.

Jhumpa Lahiri
...that in spite of living in a mansion an American is not above wearing a pair of secondhand pants, bought for fifty cents.

...that in spite of living in a mansion an American is not above wearing a pair of secondhand pants, bought for fifty cents.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Gogol is unaccustomed to this sort of talk at mealtimes, to the indulgent ritual of the lingering meal, and the pleasant aftermath of bottles and crumbs and empty glasses that clutter the table.

Gogol is unaccustomed to this sort of talk at mealtimes, to the indulgent ritual of the lingering meal, and the pleasant aftermath of bottles and crumbs and empty glasses that clutter the table.

Jhumpa Lahiri
She is stunned that in this town there are no sidewalks to speak of, no streetlights, no public transportation, no stores for miles at at a time.

She is stunned that in this town there are no sidewalks to speak of, no streetlights, no public transportation, no stores for miles at at a time.

Jhumpa Lahiri
My grandfather always says that's what books are for. To travel without moving an inch.

My grandfather always says that's what books are for. To travel without moving an inch.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Everything in Bela's life has been a reaction. I am who I am, she would say, I live as I do because of you.

Everything in Bela's life has been a reaction. I am who I am, she would say, I live as I do because of you.

Jhumpa Lahiri
The imperfection became a mark of distinction about their home. Something visitors noticed, the first family anecdote that was told.

The imperfection became a mark of distinction about their home. Something visitors noticed, the first family anecdote that was told.

Jhumpa Lahiri
As strange as it seemed, I knew in my heart that one day her death would affect me, and stranger still, that mine would affect her.

As strange as it seemed, I knew in my heart that one day her death would affect me, and stranger still, that mine would affect her.

Jhumpa Lahiri
He learned not to mind the silences.

He learned not to mind the silences.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Books are the best means—private, discreet, reliable—of overcoming reality.

Books are the best means—private, discreet, reliable—of overcoming reality.

Jhumpa Lahiri
I don't know, he said, handing her the ticket. He'd been standing there all the while on the sidewalk, waiting for her. Waiting, until they were in the darkness of the theatre, to take her hand.

I don't know, he said, handing her the ticket. He'd been standing there all the while on the sidewalk, waiting for her. Waiting, until they were in the darkness of the theatre, to take her hand.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Too much information, and yet, in her case, not enough. In a world of diminishing mystery, the unknown persists.

Too much information, and yet, in her case, not enough. In a world of diminishing mystery, the unknown persists.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Everything is there

Everything is there

Jhumpa Lahiri
I returned to my existence, the existence I had chosen instead of you.

I returned to my existence, the existence I had chosen instead of you.

Jhumpa Lahiri
There was the focus of seeking pleasure, and the numbing effect, once they were finished, removing all specific thoughts from her brain. It ushered in the solid, dreamless sleep that otherwise eluded her.

There was the focus of seeking pleasure, and the numbing effect, once they were finished, removing all specific thoughts from her brain. It ushered in the solid, dreamless sleep that otherwise eluded her.

Jhumpa Lahiri
He saw that his mother was dwelling in an alternate time, a more bearable reality.

He saw that his mother was dwelling in an alternate time, a more bearable reality.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Plato says the purpose of philosophy is to teach us how to die.

Plato says the purpose of philosophy is to teach us how to die.

Jhumpa Lahiri
How many times does a person write his name in a lifetime—a million? Two million?

How many times does a person write his name in a lifetime—a million? Two million?

Jhumpa Lahiri
Like pregnancy, being a foreigner, Ashima believes, is something that elicits the same curiosity of from strangers, the same combination of pity and respect.

Like pregnancy, being a foreigner, Ashima believes, is something that elicits the same curiosity of from strangers, the same combination of pity and respect.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Remember that you and I made this journey, that we went together to a place where there was nowhere left to go.

Remember that you and I made this journey, that we went together to a place where there was nowhere left to go.

Jhumpa Lahiri
She had preferred being on the plane, detached from the earth, the illusion of sitting still.

She had preferred being on the plane, detached from the earth, the illusion of sitting still.

Jhumpa Lahiri
In those six weeks I regarded her arrival as I would the arrival of a coming month, or season - something inevitable, but meaningless at the same time.

In those six weeks I regarded her arrival as I would the arrival of a coming month, or season - something inevitable, but meaningless at the same time.

Jhumpa Lahiri
No more bells ringing in the middle of the afternoon demolishing the rest of the day. No more waiting for the situation to change.

No more bells ringing in the middle of the afternoon demolishing the rest of the day. No more waiting for the situation to change.

Jhumpa Lahiri
The nickname had irritated and pleased her at the same time. It made her feel foolish, but she was aware that in renaming her he had claimed her somehow, already made her his own.

The nickname had irritated and pleased her at the same time. It made her feel foolish, but she was aware that in renaming her he had claimed her somehow, already made her his own.

Jhumpa Lahiri
The notice informed them that it was a temporary matter: for five days their electricity would be cut off for one hour, beginning at eight P.M.

The notice informed them that it was a temporary matter: for five days their electricity would be cut off for one hour, beginning at eight P.M.

Jhumpa Lahiri
The cosmetics that had seemed superfluous were necessary now, not to improve her but to define her somehow.

The cosmetics that had seemed superfluous were necessary now, not to improve her but to define her somehow.

Jhumpa Lahiri
So that she began to see herself more clearly, as a thin film of dust was wiped from a sheet of glass.

So that she began to see herself more clearly, as a thin film of dust was wiped from a sheet of glass.

Jhumpa Lahiri
What she’d done for him, because he’d asked.

What she’d done for him, because he’d asked.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Only then, forced at six months to confront his destiny, does he begin to cry.

Only then, forced at six months to confront his destiny, does he begin to cry.

Jhumpa Lahiri
They still feel somehow in transit, still disconnected from their lives, bound up in an alternate schedule, an intimacy only the four of them would share.

They still feel somehow in transit, still disconnected from their lives, bound up in an alternate schedule, an intimacy only the four of them would share.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Reading in another language implies a perpetual state of growth, of possibility. I

Reading in another language implies a perpetual state of growth, of possibility. I

Jhumpa Lahiri
It's easier to surrender to confinement.

It's easier to surrender to confinement.

Jhumpa Lahiri
And yet my lexicon develops without logic, in a darting, fleeting manner. The words appear, accompany me for a while, then, often without warning, abandon me.

And yet my lexicon develops without logic, in a darting, fleeting manner. The words appear, accompany me for a while, then, often without warning, abandon me.

Jhumpa Lahiri
He longed for sleep, but it would not immerse him; that night the waters he sought for his repose were deep enough to wade in, but not to swim.

He longed for sleep, but it would not immerse him; that night the waters he sought for his repose were deep enough to wade in, but not to swim.

Jhumpa Lahiri
He waited for chaotic games to end, for shouts to subside. His favorite moments were when he was alone, or felt alone. Lying in bed in the morning, watching sunlight flickering like a restless bird on the wall.

He waited for chaotic games to end, for shouts to subside. His favorite moments were when he was alone, or felt alone. Lying in bed in the morning, watching sunlight flickering like a restless bird on the wall.

Jhumpa Lahiri
She was unprepared for the landscape to be so altered. For there to be no trace of that evening, forty autumns ago.

She was unprepared for the landscape to be so altered. For there to be no trace of that evening, forty autumns ago.

Jhumpa Lahiri
And yet it felt like an invasion of the part of his body, the physical sense that was most precious: something that betrayed him and also refused to abandon him.

And yet it felt like an invasion of the part of his body, the physical sense that was most precious: something that betrayed him and also refused to abandon him.

Jhumpa Lahiri
She had denied herself the pleasure of openly sharing life with the person she loved.

She had denied herself the pleasure of openly sharing life with the person she loved.

Jhumpa Lahiri
In their silence they continued both to protect me and to punish me. The memory of that night was now the only tie between us, eclipsing everything else.

In their silence they continued both to protect me and to punish me. The memory of that night was now the only tie between us, eclipsing everything else.

Jhumpa Lahiri
I owed the greater apology, but at the same time I knew that was done was done, that no matter what I said now I would never be able to make it right.

I owed the greater apology, but at the same time I knew that was done was done, that no matter what I said now I would never be able to make it right.

Jhumpa Lahiri
What was stored in memory was distinct from what was deliberately remembered, Augustine said.

What was stored in memory was distinct from what was deliberately remembered, Augustine said.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Odd things made him love her.

Odd things made him love her.

Jhumpa Lahiri
To Travel without moving an inch.

To Travel without moving an inch.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Given that she barely saw her father, given that she continued to measure out her contact with him, whether to deny herself or to deny him, she could not be sure.

Given that she barely saw her father, given that she continued to measure out her contact with him, whether to deny herself or to deny him, she could not be sure.

Jhumpa Lahiri
If I stop to think about fans, or bestselling, or not bestselling, or good reviews, or not-good reviews, it just becomes too much. It's like staring at the mirror all day.

If I stop to think about fans, or bestselling, or not bestselling, or good reviews, or not-good reviews, it just becomes too much. It's like staring at the mirror all day.

Jhumpa Lahiri
For Gogol Ganguli- The man who gave you his name, from the man who gave you your name.

For Gogol Ganguli- The man who gave you his name, from the man who gave you your name.

Jhumpa Lahiri
In so many ways, his family’s life feels like a string of accidents, unforeseen, unintended, one incident begetting another.

In so many ways, his family’s life feels like a string of accidents, unforeseen, unintended, one incident begetting another.

Jhumpa Lahiri
People are starving, and this is their solution, he eventually said. They turn victims into criminals. They aim guns at people who can't shoot back.

People are starving, and this is their solution, he eventually said. They turn victims into criminals. They aim guns at people who can't shoot back.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Because in the end to learn a language, to feel connected to it, you have to have a dialogue, however childlike, however imperfect.

Because in the end to learn a language, to feel connected to it, you have to have a dialogue, however childlike, however imperfect.

Jhumpa Lahiri
They tolerate my mistakes. They correct me, they encourage me, they provide the words I lack. They speak clearly, patiently. Just like parents with their children. The

They tolerate my mistakes. They correct me, they encourage me, they provide the words I lack. They speak clearly, patiently. Just like parents with their children. The

Jhumpa Lahiri
He felt the chill of her secrecy, numbing him, like a poison spreading quickly through his veins.

He felt the chill of her secrecy, numbing him, like a poison spreading quickly through his veins.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Most of all I remember the three of them operating during that time as if they were a single person, sharing a single meal, a single body, a single silence, and a single fear.

Most of all I remember the three of them operating during that time as if they were a single person, sharing a single meal, a single body, a single silence, and a single fear.

Jhumpa Lahiri
Every language belongs to a specific place. It can migrate, it can spread. But usually it’s tied to a geographical territory, a country. Italian

Every language belongs to a specific place. It can migrate, it can spread. But usually it’s tied to a geographical territory, a country. Italian

Jhumpa Lahiri