The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri tells the story of two Indian brothers, Subhash and Udayan, and their intertwined destinies. Subhash and Udayan have been raised in the same low lying coastal region in West Bengal known as the lowland of the title. Udayan is the more rebellious of the two, embracing the Naxalite communist movement that has been gaining support in India during the late 1960s. Subhash, on the other hand, takes the more traditional route for an Indian man of his time and moves to the United States for study and, eventually, family life. The story charts the brothers’ divergent paths, as Udayan’s revolutionary passion leads him to a tragic end and Subhash is left to pick up the pieces.
The Lowland is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that raises many questions about fate, identity, responsibility, and family ties. It explores themes of belonging, belonging to a place and culture, and of how generational transitions in culture and society shape our sense of self. Udayan’s interest in the Naxalite Marxist movement and its goals of social justice reflects his desire to be part of a larger world that is changing rapidly and is full of new possibilities. For him, the modern world offers more than just economic progress; it also offers a political system of fairness and justice.
The novel follows Subhash and Udayan as their fates diverge and as Subhash is forced to deal with his brother’s death. Subhash struggles to come to terms with his own part in his brother’s demise, and must navigate his life in America and his obligations to his family in India. He re-evaluates his notions of identity and ultimately decides to return to his hometown in India to come to terms with his brother’s death and the unresolved feelings he has for Udayan.
The narrative also follows Udayan’s widow, Gauri, and the challenges she faces in coming to terms with her husband’s death. Gauri’s story is at times harrowing and difficult to read, yet her strength and bravery offer hope and resilience in the face of tragedy. Gauri is an incredibly complex and multi-dimensional character and her story serves to further explore the theme of identity and belonging within a rapidly changing world.
The Lowland is a book that tackles some big questions and themes. It is both a heartbreakingly real account of a family tragedy and a thought-provoking examination of the conditions that allow political extremism and violence to take hold in a society. Jhumpa Lahiri has constructed a powerful and poignant narrative that shows us how a moment of passion and conviction can have far-reaching effects on the lives of those left behind. The novel is a powerful exploration of how generations interact and grow together, and how our choices and actions can shape our destinies.
