Book Review #31: The Lowland By Jhumpa Lahiri

Naxalism, Life in Post-Independent India, Love story, Brotherhood, Friendship, Marriage, Children, etc.. A book that has so many stories woven into one, but, still it fails to attract you. I was not at all impressed by this book. First of all, its monotonous way of narration is what failed from the beginning. The story became too predictive after first few chapters. The plot deviated from what it was expected to follow.

Jhumpa Lahiri, known for her eloquent style of writing has somewhat failed in this novel. Just to let you know, this is only my interpretation. Many people might have understood this book in a different way. For me, it was way below my expectation from Lahiri after reading The Namesake.

Ok let's get into the review. Why it is not a must read book from my point of view ?. First of all, the plot is too weak. the narration is dull and is is way too slow. Somehow, it took me a while to complete this novel. Not because of 300 odd pages of story, but, because of its way of story building.

The story is all about 2 brothers that were born in the very next year of India's Independence in 1947, in calcutta i.e. today's Kolkata. Udayan the younger one and Subhash the elder one. The stories of their childhood is impressive, as we get to read lots about their tryst for technology, sports, books, chess game, morse codes etc.. Later, what follows after they've grown up, is a complete dry plot.

Udayan was more attracted towards Politics, rather, I can say it as towards Naxalism and not towards the mainstream politics. He gets attracted towards Communist ideologies that were popular during those times of early 50's. He often skips his college to spend time with comrades and listen to their speech all the time. As expected, once after his college he officially joins to the communist group and becomes a Naxalite.

Whereas, Subhash, the elder one, is more attracted towards his studies. He completes his degree and he applies for a postgraduate program in a US university in Rhode Islands. He was majoring in Chemical Industry. He sees his younger brother Udayan growing out to be a Naxalite with his very own eyes and persuades him to get a regular job or go for higher studies. But, Udayan was so adamant in his decisions, he never bothers to listen to Subhash.

Until this part was the interesting section from the book. Later, after few years, Subhash now studying in US, will come to know that his younger brother is married already, his wife is called Gauri. He was shell-shocked to hear this and comes to term with his brother and accepts his new sister-in-law. As the book progresses further, Subhash again receives a letter from Gauri that, his brother, Udayan was shot dead in a combing operation in Calcutta. Subhash returns to India.

As we get to see the plot, now it becomes too predictable. Subhash decides to marry Gauri for the sole reason of not leaving her with his parents who were still not ready to accept her. As the years passed, Subhash becomes the father of Udayan's child that Gauri was carrying. He named her Bela. Here, Gauri was not impressed with Subhash, rather, she wanted to skip from her responsibilities and decides to pursue her education in US and applies for a philosophy degree. From there she decides to leave Subhash and her daughter and she leaves the house forever.

Towards the end of the novel, Subhash, now taking care of Bela and her new child Meghna, decides to get a divorce from Gauri and he writes a letter to Gauri. As expected, Gauri instead of writing back, she heads back to meet Subhash to give her consent for the divorce. There, she meets Bela and her grand daughter Meghna. Surprised Bela, admonishes her mother for leaving her as a child. Disappointed, Gauri heads back to her place. That's it..., their life goes on as it is!!

That's the end of the novel. It is just this much, are we expected to read only this much.??. I was not at all impressed the way it ended. Lahiri would've at least changed something that might have reconciled their family!!. The only impressive thing from the novel is, Udayan's Naxal way of living and going headstrong against the government. Whereas, Subhash's part of the story is dry and dull.

My Rating:
3/5