The Namesake

Summary

The novel "The Namesake" tells the story of the Ganguli family from India who immigrate to the United States. The main character, Gogol Ganguli, named after the Russian writer Nikolai Gogol, faces challenges of identity and cultural divide. The narrative spans several decades, from Gogol's birth to his adult life. Gogol struggles to find a balance between his parents' Indian traditions and the American way of life. He changes his name to Nikhil to better fit into American society, but this does not resolve his internal conflicts. Ultimately, Gogol comes to understand and accept his dual identity, realizing the importance of his roots and family.