The Lowland

By: Jhumpa Lahiri

Narrated by: Sunil Malhotra

Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

National Book Award Finalist
Shortlisted for the 2013 Man Booker Prize
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning, best-selling author of The Namesake comes an extraordinary new novel, set in both India and America, that expands the scope and range of one of our most dazzling storytellers: a tale of two brothers bound by tragedy, a fiercely brilliant woman haunted by her past, a country torn by revolution, and a love that lasts long past death.

Born just fifteen months apart, Subhash and Udayan Mitra are inseparable brothers, one often mistaken for the other in the Calcutta neighborhood where they grow up. But they are also opposites, with gravely different futures ahead. It is the 1960s, and Udayan—charismatic and impulsive—finds himself drawn to the Naxalite movement, a rebellion waged to eradicate inequity and poverty; he will give everything, risk all, for what he believes. Subhash, the dutiful son, does not share his brother’s political passion; he leaves home to pursue a life of scientific research in a quiet, coastal corner of America.

But when Subhash learns what happened to his brother in the lowland outside their family’s home, he goes back to India, hoping to pick up the pieces of a shattered family, and to heal the wounds Udayan left behind—including those seared in the heart of his brother’s wife.

Masterly suspenseful, sweeping, piercingly intimate, The Lowland is a work of great beauty and complex emotion; an engrossing family saga and a story steeped in history that spans generations and geographies with seamless authenticity. It is Jhumpa Lahiri at the height of her considerable powers.

©2013 Jhumpa Lahiri (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Haunting... A novel that crosses generations, oceans, and the chasms within families... Lahiri’s skill is reflected not only in her restrained and lyric prose, but also in her moving forward chronological time while simultaneously unfolding memory, which does not fade in spite of the years. A formidable and beautiful book." (Publishers Weekly)

"An absolute triumph. Lahiri uses a gorgeously rendered Calcutta landscape to profound effect.... As shocking complexities tragedies, and revelations multiply, Lahiri astutely examines the psychological nuances of conviction, guilt, grief, marriage, and parenthood, and delicately but firmly dissects the moral conundrums inherent in violent revolution. Renowned for her exquisite prose and penetrating insights, Lahiri attains new heights of artistry - flawless transparency, immersive intimacy with characters and place - in her spellbinding fourth book and second novel. A magnificent, universal, and indelible work of literature... Lahiri’s standing increases with each book, and this is her most compelling yet." (Donna Seaman, Booklist)

“Compelling . . . beautiful. A family saga that finds its roots in a 1967 Calcutta rebellion [but] extends its reach to present-day Rhode Island. The long-awaited follow-up to her ravishing first novel, The Namesake, justifies its lengthy gestation. The story develops like a rip in a piece of fabric that keeps tearing: a gripping meditation on absence, alienation and loss . . . Exquisitely written and deeply moving.” (Sophie Harris, Time Out New York)

Near perfect

What does Sunil Malhotra bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Distinctions between different sub- ontinent accents (police, grandparents, professors) which make the listen richer.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

From my perspective, this is a brilliant novel/listen. The writing is lyrical, beautiful and easy to follow. The themes she deals with below the surface of the story are powerful and deal with loss, family bonds, good and bad, and the contemporary issues of bridging of cultures: east and west, young and old. Sunil Malhotra renders a spectacular, well-paced, and nuanced reading with smooth dialect transitiosns throughout. This book kept me thinking well after I was done with it--always a good sign.

Good story, narration so-so

What aspect of Sunil Malhotra’s performance would you have changed?

He does fine for the most part, but he should consider not making the female characters sound like meek, bewildered idiots.

Descriptivo

Increíble manera de narrar del autor , llena de detalle. Queda claro cómo el paso del tiempo es ineludible y en lo cotidiano se encierran las emociones más estremecedoras , pasando inadvertidas para todos .

Stunning

I discovered this author in a college lit class way back when The Interpreter of Maladies was published. Each book, each story written since then has proven to be a deep well of characters and relationship and beauty. The Lowland is no exception. The richness and heartbreak and beauty found in its pages are remarkable. It’s the best book I’ve “read” in a while.

The narrator of this book had me captivated. Fully immersed in every word of the story he was weaving. The cadence of his voice, the authenticity of the pronunciations and the speed were all top notch. I plan on seeking out any other books narrated by him as I do believe he is on his way to becoming my favorite one.

The Most heart-rending and Beautiful

I couldn't get enough of this story...it was both broad-sweeping and intimate in its beauty. .One must have nerves of steel while reading ,for its tragedy, perhaps everyday for some, will burn the reader to their core.

The Lowland : A review by JB

Again it comes as no surprise as a reader of Jhumpa's novels; her stories and characters revolve primarily around bengalis in and around new england states hailing from calcutta, india and most of them pursuing PhD's which is so stereotypical. What i like about her writing is that she can express the emotions and feelings of human beings in a very articulate and compelling manner. This one is a combination of her own fiction with some real life incidents that happened in india around the 70's decade. It is an interesting read for the south asian readers; don't know how much interest it would evoke amongst other readers. Also it is a long one totaling 13 hours of listening.

Definitely not Lahiri's best work

Any additional comments?

I believe this book was actually Lahiri's first attempt at a novel. If this is true, then I'm glad her collection of short stories was how she entered the literary world. I just never felt that she got inside any of the characters in this book, and the result was a stilted and often boring story.

OMG

Devastating.

They want fourteen more words. Devastating devastating devastating devastating devastating devastating devastating devastating devastating. Got it?

Highly recommended!

Really love this audible!
Everything is excellent about this audible! Cannot put it down!
I highly recommend this book to anybody who loves beautiful writing.

Excellent writing

This is a beautifully written book. I needed to find out what would happen next. The characters meant something to me. Definitely worth listening to this great narration.