The Namesake

One of my favorite passages from The Namesake. It's a little bittersweet -- does the phrasing "he believes he has known" foreshadow the fact that he doesn't know her? -- but I think it captures those moments, when you first begin to seriously start dating, and get to know one another's little peccadilloes.

"Within three months they have clothes and toothbrushes at each other's apartments. He sees her for entire weekends without make-up, sees her with grey shadows under her eyes as she types papers at her desk... He sees the hair that grows on her legs between waxings, the black roots that emerge between appointments at the salon, and in these moments, these glimpses, he believes he has known no greater intimacy."

To travel, to read

Rereading The Namesake for Mother's Day, and this passage struck a nerve. A discussion, on the value of travel. The author stages Ghosh and Ashoke as having competing viewpoints, whereas I think they're complementary?

Ghosh shook his head. "You are still young. Free," he said, spreading his hands apart for emphasis. "Do yourself a favor. Before it's too late, without thinking too much about it first, pack a pillow and a blanket and see as much of the world as you can. You will not regret it. One day it will be too late."

"My grandfather always says that's what books are for," Ashoke said, using the opportunity to open the volume in his hands. "To travel without moving an inch."