Interpreter of Maladies is a Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of short stories by Indian-American author Jhumpa Lahiri. The book explores the lives of Indian immigrants in America, as well as the lives of those who remain in India.The first story in the collection, A Temporary Matter,” is about a young couple, Shoba and Shukumar, who are dealing with the death of their infant son. They are also dealing with the fact that Shoba is pregnant with their second child. The couple is forced to confront their grief, as well as their own mortality, when Shoba’s pregnancy forces them to confront the fact that they may not have much time left together.The second story, “Interpreter of Maladies,” is about Mr. Kapasi, an Indian man who works as an interpreter at a hospital. Mr. Kapasi is approached by Mrs. Das, an Indian woman who is seeking his help to interpret a letter from her husband. Mrs. Das is a difficult woman, and she is not interested in hearing what Mr. Kapasi has to say about her husband’s letter. However, Mr. Kapasi is able to see past her facade and he begins to feel sympathy for her.The third story, “The Treatment of Bibi Haldar,” is about a young woman named Bibi who is suffering from a mysterious illness. Bibi’s illness causes her to black out and she is unable to control her body. Bibi’s family is desperate to find a cure for her, and they turn to a woman named Mrs. Pundir. Mrs. Pundir is a healer who uses traditional methods to treat her patients. Bibi’s family is skeptical of Mrs. Pundir, but they are willing to try anything to help Bibi.The fourth story, “Mrs. Sen’s”, is about a woman named Mrs. Sen who is an immigrant from India. Mrs. Sen is a lonely woman, and she is often left to care for her two young children by herself. Mrs. Sen’s only connection to her homeland is through the letters that she writes to her husband. When Mrs. Sen’s husband is killed in a car accident, she is left completely alone.The fifth story, “The Third and Final Continent,” is about a man named Mala who is also an immigrant from India. Mala is a student at a university in America, and he is struggling to adjust to life in a new country. Mala’s only solace is his relationship with his landlady, Mrs. Croft. When Mrs. Croft dies, Mala is left completely alone.The sixth and final story in the collection, “A Real Durwan,” is about a woman named Boori Ma. Boori Ma is a sweeper who works at a temple in India. Boori Ma is a very old woman, and she is no longer able to do her job. Boori Ma is forced to leave her job, and she is forced to live in a slum. Boori Ma is a proud woman, and she is not willing to give up her dignity. Even in the face of poverty and desperation, Boori Ma remains strong.”
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