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The Lowland

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The Lowland

Written by: Jhumpa Lahiri
Narrated by: Sunil Malhotra
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About this listen

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 15 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.

Long-listed for the 2013 Man Booker Prize

©2013 Jhumpa Lahiri (P)2013 Random House Audio
Historical Literary Fiction Sagas United States

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)

What listeners say about The Lowland

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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

a peek into the world of communist Bengal

it's a heavy book and might tickle ideological people, it took me write a few sessions to complete it because of the nature of the story!

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Beautifully executed.

A fulfilling experience. One of those books that stay with us.
To Sunil Malhotra: Narration was lovely. Your voice modulations are great; esp. those of the leaders at speeches.
Just the female voice adaptions sound flat at times. Can be worked upon on a little. In total, had loved listening in.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A peak into the movement

I quite liked the story, however about the movement there could have have been a more nuanced take. It felt very bookish rather than emotive. Mother of 1084 would be a good parralal reading if you wish to explore. The audio was comforting and read with grace. Thank you reader.

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a masterpiece of enigmatic human relationships

simple yet complex. god is in detail and this novel proves that. detailed narration of every emotion and lanscape impresses me most. i enjoyed. thanks Sunil for wonderful voice over.

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Moving and relatable

loved the lowland. literally finished it in 2 days, the pace is good, the people very real and the story, moving.

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Deeply rooted and very heavy story

The story was amazing. I cant stop appreciating the writer for her knowledge about the rebelion is different partsmof the world. How beautifuly the effects of each action and its climax has been written. It doesnt break the hope of readers when Bela decides to come back to ner father. The Cold hearted Gauri coming back home and meeting Bela was the moment I was waiting for. wanted to know what a mothe rwho decided to leave her child behind would say to her years after. Gripping story. But I did not like the Narration and especialy the acsent which made the simple Indian names sound too much American. Kind of the voice didnt make me feel connefted to the story.

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Wonderful story, apt narration

Jhumpa Lahiri obviously knows how to tell a tale. Broadly, we see a bird's eye view of the life of Subhash -- even though the book is from third person's view, I think the story more or less revolves around Subhash. We zoom into the more important stages of his life, and we learn about people barging into our lives, and letting us go. All of this in an incessant background of communist movement in India.

It's a beautiful book. Give it a listen. 👌🏽

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An unavoidable voyage through time and space

decent narration and a unique way of pronouncing Indian names...could be better but not below the standards , however high you set the scale.,
story is more of a voyage type... starting from one shore and ends at another...though they r seperate d by a small ocean , they r like neighbours

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Beautiful

Beautiful writing style of the author as well as the recitation! So vivid description of everything, even the smallest of a moment.. pure bliss.

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Wonderful Story

I will not get into what I like about the story or not. As far as th recording is concerned, the audio was really good. At no point did I feel that something could be done better.

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