24. Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
This is Lahiri’s first book written in Italian and then translated into English. More than anything the book is about the language and even with the translation I found it very beautiful. The short chapters are all the character using the physical or mental space she is in as a starting point for a reflection about something in her life. At first I wasn’t even sure if it was a novel or not because the way it is written seems so much like an author would reflect about the things in their own life. It’s definitely not a book for anyone who is looking for a plot, but it is very much a book for anyone who enjoys relishing the beauty of the written word. I give it an 8 out of 10.
Around the Year in 100 Books 