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)

Captivating!

From the first sentence, I was drawn in, captivated by the culture and world of Calcutta, whisked to New England, and back again. A wonderful tale of tradition, family, love and profound loss.

Masterful Storytelling

If you could sum up The Lowland in three words, what would they be?

FascinatingCredibleTragic

What other book might you compare The Lowland to and why?

Tandia by Bryce Courtney. I especially enjoy literature with complex plots, characterization and details that capture the culture. Courtney does that in Tandia and so does Lahiri. It is all in the details for me. Both authors demonstrate an amazing ability to incorporate details that capture the heart of a foreign land and its people - the contrast between American family life other families in the world is so credible. Lahiri has captured it to a tee! Both authors are insightful and clever storytellers!I am so tired of the "much ado about nothing' American detective stories. Too shallow and too self absorbed. Tandia and Lowlands take us outside of ourselves and capture something special about the human spirit as it meets adversity.

Which character – as performed by Sunil Malhotra – was your favorite?

Subhash and Udayan are my favorite characters The portrayal of sibling rivalry, their passions, the intelligence of both characters - add a level of credibility that is hard to find in most novels.

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

It could not have been better! I spent some time in India last fall 2014 and was introduced to Indian culture first hand. This book satisfied my craving to return to India - the India I have begun to love and now I want more. I am truly fascinated by the customs, culture and the many stories yet to be told. More please!

Any additional comments?

I did not want this story to end and felt the pain of how fate and destiny play a significant part in how life turns out. Circumstances outside of our control can change the course of history in the blink of an eye - and there is no turning back. A touching story that frequently brought tears to my eyes! Outstanding piece of work!

Engaging; enlightening

Lahiri is a born storyteller. This was one of those books/recordings I picked by chance when in need of a good story and was so grateful for. After listeniing to the first chapter I thought, "Yay! Someone still knows how to create characters with an authentic and riveting story to tell." It's also enjoyable because although the themes are timeless (love, commitment, patriotism, parenting) this story is about an East Asian Indian family, so I learned something about a different culture. Lastly, Lahiri can put believable language into the mouths of her characters, so the recorded version was a pleasure.

Mesmerizing and beautifully written

I've read everything Lahiri has written, and this book is just another example of why she's such a fine writer. While her stories are always couched in the Indian American experience, they resonate simply because they're so truthful, poignant, and beautiful.

Tearfully good.

This story I found compellingly interesting. It brought me to my knees on several occasions. Speaking to the complex aspects of human relationships and there dysfunctional threads that bind them together. This story is very good, in my opinion.

Riveting Story

Story slowly unfurled - winding through India to New England. Beautifully written and deeply moving. Exquisite tale with intimate character development. Excellent narration.

Emotionally well written

Fantastic writing by Lahiri yet again. The emotions of the characters are well depicted in her words.

Most beautiful book I have read in a long time.

What did you love best about The Lowland?

The language is overwhelming. It is like poetry. That, along with an excellent narrator made this book unforgettable and immensely pleasurable to read. It had a good story, gave good depth to the characters providing their many perspectives and left you constantly considering their motives and desires.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character had infinite capacity for caring for his child and redefined the word father for me. Still , he was credible while constantly striving to do the right thing.

What about Sunil Malhotra’s performance did you like?

He did all of the different voices well, men, women and especially children! He had excellent material to work with but made the reading seamless. The wonderful language and descriptions in the book are particularly poignant when read by this excellent narrator. I usually listen at a speed of 1.25 but this book I set at 1 so I could really savor the reading.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending, gives us hope as a main character lets go of a lifetime of resentment, demonstrating the largeness of human nature and it's capability for forgiveness.

Any additional comments?

This was the best book I have read in many years. It is a saga with great characters, again demonstrating the immigrant experience, but more importantly showing the wonderful side of human behavior. The language is a delight to listen to, describing both physical characteristics as well as human. Jumpa Lahiri is one of the truly great writers of our time. This is a book to be savored.

Pulls at your heart

Wow! What a story. I am really glad that I listened to this book. It really helped to hear the pronunciations of the characters' names and places. Jumps Lahiri writes another powerful book!

Politics, Love and Sorrow, a 3.5

Two brothers born 15 months apart, inseparable boys growing up in Naxalbari, a half submerged swamp besotted with refuse and water hyacinths. The beauty and the wasteland feel of the swampy area echos the essence and the life choices of the two brothers. One brother is involved in the underground of the Naxalite movement of West Bengal in the late 1960s. The other brother is headed off to teach college in Rhode Island.
The two brothers share their lives in a unique fashion, more than either expected.
This author has a creative voice and although not exactly the happy ending feel good book so many prefer, overall the book held my interest and was worthwhile.
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