It is her second novel, although she has already won a Pulitzer Prize for her short story collection Interpreter of Maladies . As you read this book, you feel like you are reading the work of prize winning author. I have to admit the beginning is a bit slow as she delves into politics and life in in Calcutta in the late 60's. However, do not let these first thirty or so pages make you put down the book. It is then that real story kicks in and begins to pull you in.
The story is centered around two brothers, Subhash and Udayan. They were born 15 months apart and grew up in the sixties in Calcutta, India. They went their seperate ways when they reached college going age. Subhash emigrates to the United States to attend graduate school at Rhode Island University. Udayan on the other hand joins the terrorist group Maoist Naxalite and also gets married to his wife Gauri. The book takes us through a period of about sixty years, and not once do you feel rushed. We go from Calcutta to Rhode Island in the United States. Then to California and off to Ireland. All the while feeling like you are right there amongst the characters in the book. Subhash has to return to India after a family tragedy. Jhumpa takes us on the journey has he tries to fix broken family relationships.
Who is Jhumpa Lahiri? She is a british born author that grew up in Rhode Island. Her first book was the bestselling short story collection, Interpreter of Maladies . Ad already mentioned she won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and three other awards, including a nomination for the LA Times Book Prize. This book is available in over twenty-nine languages.
The Namesake was her first ever novel. It was named as one of the best books of the year by USA Today and Entertainment Weekly. She has authored another collection of shorty stories titled, Unaccustomed Earth . It is a #1 New York Times bestseller and has also won many other awards. In 2002 Lahiri recieved the Guggenheim Fellowship and most recently in 2012 she became an American Academy of Arts and Letters inductee. I really love how she describes the journeys her characters take in her books. She gives us specific descriptions of what they see in each location. Lahiri does this my using very simple lyrical prose, writing in small paragraphs which make the book easier to read. In Lowland, she does a very good job when it comes down to breaking down stereotypes. Some may be offended to read of South Asian women, who enjoy sex. However, it is a reality that she has included in the book.
Overall, you can tell that the plot and the characters have been well thought out. Lowland did read somehow like an extended short story. The political parts maybe a little confusing to people like me, who have no knoweledge of Indian politics. Also the characters were constantly sad, and this can become a little too much for some readers. In conclusion, this is a beautifully written book. The story although a little depressing at times, is still a story most of us can relate to. Lahiri does a great job at bringing the characters to life as you read the story. As far as the realness of the characters, this I believe is as real as it can get. Be prepared, this story will draw you in and then take you on a thrilling roller coaster ride. This is definetely another must read book.
Available in several formats - Start reading The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri now.