The story that casts you as the main character

Expressed by Sunanda, Wishpen Book Club

A gift unmatched

A thoughtful gift from one of my bookstagram companions, Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri, landed on my lap a month back. Well, it’s indeed thoughtful as my dear friend believed the book reminded her of me, the protagonist in specific. What could have been a more fascinating gift!

Now, I am not going to portray a typical book review here, but would take you through the sojourn through my lens.

Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri turned out to be a gentle ode to solitude, told through the celebration of life’s small, quiet moments.

Being alone and being lonely? 

The most fascinating part is that this novel feels like it’s your mirror image. It finds meaning in life’s small, treasured rituals, and reminds us of the quiet line between being alone and being lonely.

The part that deserves special credit is Lahiri’s unique style of narration.

Are you in your 40s too? It’s the new life you got

The book is presented through diary entries where a 40 plus woman writes about her little activities, about the people she meets at different places and about her thoughts. 

Her routine is simple, yet profound. She loves to observe people at different places and tries to imagine their lives. 

She remembers her childhood trauma and strained relationships with parents. The woman goes to the therapist probably just to talk to lift off the emotional baggage. 

Later, she turns out to be a therapist for a friend who is too occupied in her life. She does everything to HEAL.

So, the best healers are the ones who are themselves healed with the greatest lessons from the biggest challenges.

The Quiet Power of Observing Others

The lady with a lot of grace and gentleness talks about different relationships in her life – her parents, friends, partners and money. Beautifully, she expresses how her mother taught her to be frugal with money and that lesson stayed with her even today.

She can survive on simple food, yet have no second thought while spending on rare collections. Well, that’s an important part of healing, isn’t it?

 The woman can enjoy the delicacy of a simple sandwich everyday and can even go spend dollars on special editions. 

Women can be highly adjusting, soft and feminine, and extremely practical, strong and masculine – she can embody both. Resonate with you?

When you can easily let go

She can continue loving someone deep, yet never chase. A woman can miss someone a lot, yet let them go! She can be awake till midnight rubbing her tears, yet be strong from within at the dawn.

She may break up with a man over discarded coins, but her passion for books is untouchable. She is the kind of person who haunts stationery stores just for the comfort it brings—the best zone for any true book lover.

Relatable, Restless, and Rooted in Real Emotion 

The novel is plotless yet compelling, but that’s what has made this journey so different.

One could easily relate to a lot of situations of the unnamed narrator in an unnamed city throughout the year in different seasons. She lives on her own terms, alone, mostly enjoys life and probably craves for something more with a restless energy. 

Each chapter – “In the Bookstore, At the Railway Station, In My Head, At the Coffee Bars” connect readers beyond time and place. 

They are not just the book chapters, but chapters of our lives.

Do You See Yourself Here Too?

Whereabouts is one of those rare books that doesn’t ask much from you—but offers a lot if you listen closely. It’s soft, slow, and soul-stirring.

So, do you relate? How much of her is in you?