M. Esther's contribution.
Author, teacher, and translator Jhumpa Lahiri joins Tyler for a conversation on identity, Rhode Island, writing as problem solving, reading across languages, the badness of book covers, Elena Ferrante, Bengali culture, the magic of Calcutta, Italian authors, Indian classical music, architectural influences, and much more.
The book contains several short stories. The story chosen for the January meeting is the story inside the book with the same title: “ Interpreter of maladies.”
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| Source: Amazon |
The title story, Interpreter of Maladies, follows an Indian tour guide who serves as a translator for a troubled American couple, exploring themes of miscommunication and unfulfilled desires. Other standout stories, such as A Temporary Matter and When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine, examine loss, estrangement, and the quiet struggles of everyday life.
Lahiri’s prose is celebrated for its elegance and emotional depth, capturing nuanced moments of human vulnerability. Her ability to render the inner lives of her characters with such precision resonated deeply with readers and critics alike.
Interpreter of Maladies received widespread acclaim and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2000, catapulting Lahiri to international fame. The collection also received the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award and the New Yorker’s Best Debut of the Year distinction. Lahiri’s poignant exploration of universal themes has ensured the book’s enduring popularity, marking it as a modern literary classic.
The Author
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| Source: Wikipedia |
Lahiri's literary debut, Interpreter of Maladies (1999), a collection of short stories, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and established her as a significant voice in contemporary literature. Her first novel, The Namesake (2003), was adapted into a film directed by Mira Nair and received critical acclaim for its portrayal of immigrant struggles and generational conflicts.
Subsequent works, including Unaccustomed Earth (2008) and The Lowland (2013), continued to garner praise and awards. Lahiri later transitioned to writing in Italian, a language she learned as an adult, publishing In Other Words (2015) and Whereabouts (2021). She has also translated Italian works into English, demonstrating her deep commitment to linguistic and cultural exploration.
Currently, Lahiri teaches creative writing and continues to influence global literature through her unique narratives and cross-cultural insights.
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| Click on the image |
Noelia's contribution
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| Source: History.Nebraska.gov |
Click on the photo to access the Nebraska History website, which explains the history and location of Holt County.
In chapter 34 it is mentioned that the theater session opens and that they are going to do a performance of a book about Holt County.
Noelia's contribution
These are the songs that are mentioned in chapters 16/17 of the book "Our Souls at Night".
YouTube - Songs - Traditional - Down in the Valley
YouTube - Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah
The Book
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| Source:Amazon |
Our Souls at Night" by Kent Haruf is a poignant and tender exploration of love, loneliness, and the human spirit in the twilight years of life. Set in the small town of Holt, Colorado, the novel revolves around Addie Moore and Louis Waters, two elderly neighbors who, in the face of solitude, decide to forge a connection by spending their nights together.
Haruf's writing is spare yet deeply evocative, capturing the quiet beauty of ordinary lives and the complexities of relationships. The narrative unfolds gently, revealing the characters' vulnerabilities, regrets, and unfulfilled desires. As Addie and Louis navigate the judgments of their community and their own personal histories, the novel becomes a meditation on the power of companionship and the capacity for human connection to heal even the deepest wounds.
The author's portrayal of aging is both tender and honest, presenting the challenges and joys of growing old with grace and authenticity. "Our Souls at Night" is a timeless exploration of the human heart, a testament to the enduring need for intimacy and understanding, and a reminder that it's never too late to seek companionship and redefine the meaning of love. Haruf's final novel is a touching masterpiece that lingers in the reader's soul long after the last page is turned.
The Author
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| Source:Babelio |
Kent Haruf (1943-2014) was an American author known for his spare yet powerful novels capturing the essence of life in the American West. Born in Pueblo, Colorado, Haruf drew inspiration from his rural upbringing and experiences to craft stories that resonated with authenticity.
Haruf's notable works include the Plainsong trilogy, but "Our Souls at Night" stands out as a crowning achievement. Published in 2015, it marked his poignant farewell to the literary world. Set in the fictional town of Holt, Colorado, the novel explores late-life companionship between Addie Moore and Louis Waters. The book gained widespread acclaim for its tender portrayal of love and loneliness in the twilight years.
During his career, Haruf received numerous accolades, including the Whiting Foundation Writers' Award and a nomination for the National Book Award. His unique narrative style, characterized by spare prose and deep emotional resonance, endeared him to readers and critics alike.
"Our Souls at Night" holds a special place in Haruf's legacy, representing a culmination of his literary prowess and a touching exploration of human connection in the face of aging. It remains a testament to his ability to distill profound insights from the simplicity of everyday life.
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| Source: Wordpress - Srebrenicra Massacre |
Maria Esther' contribution
This is a Youtube Video from the Al Jazeera English Channel about the trial and the sentence to Radovan Karadzic who was found guilty of genocide.
This is a review of the book published in Independent.
Note: This link may not work properly on some computers due to the UK restriction, you'd better use your mobile phone.
> Independet - The Little Red Chairs by Edna O'Brien, book review
Noelia's contribution
This is a report from ICD International Crime Database about the trial of Mothers of Srebrenica
> International Crime Database - Mothers of Srebrenica et al v. State of The Netherlands and the United Nations
Noelia's contribution
The novel follows an imaginary Balkan war criminal, Dr. Vlad, as he interacts with women in an Irish village. The past actions of the main character closely resemble the war crimes of the Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadžić. [Wikipedia]
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| [Wikipedia] |
The following BBC podcast is quite curious because it narrates the search process before his capture.
> BBC Sounds - The search for Karadzic and Mladic
On 12 May 2021 it was announced that, with the agreement of the UK authorities, he would serve the rest of his sentence in a UK prison.[Wikipedia]
The following BBC News article describes this fact.
> BBC News - Radovan Karadzic: Ex-Bosnian Serb leader to be sent to UK prison
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| source: Wikipedia |
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| source: The Irish Story |
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| source: IrishCentral |
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| source: Belfast Telegraph |
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