Short Stories· United States
Interpreter of Maladies
by Jhumpa LahiriAggregate Editorial Score38/100
ALA Notable Books
Published 1999211 pagesEnglish
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Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies (1999) stands as one of the most significant works of short stories of its era. Nine stories about the Indian-American experience—immigrants and their children navigating the space between their ancestral home and the new world—won Lahiri the Pulitzer Prize. Her debut collection is a masterpiece of quiet observation. Themes of Indian-American, immigration, marriage run through the work. The book has received recognition from ALA Notable Books 1999.
Book Details
About the Category
📄 Short Stories
Collections of concise fiction exploring a wide range of human experience.
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🇺🇸 United States
This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.
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Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri sits within the tradition of short stories that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1999 in United States, it engages with Indian-American, immigration, marriage, loneliness in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention.
Among its recognitions: ALA Notable Books 1999. With an editorial score of 38/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys.
The appeal of Interpreter of Maladies lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of Indian-American, immigration, marriage, loneliness is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page.
Interpreter of Maladies reflects Jhumpa Lahiri's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United States's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
ALA Notable Books
notable · national
199912
Jhumpa Lahiri is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.
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