A book review: “The
Lowland” by Jhumpa Lahiri.
My spring break was relaxing one, and I had a lot of time to
myself for reading, watching movies and riding my bicycle. Good works of fiction has the
power to transport the reader into different times and spaces without leaving
the comfort of one’s home. Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel, “The Lowland” took me on a
trip back in the times of late 1970’s and 80’s India, California, and Eastern
United States all in my arm chair.
I connected on many levels to the themes, and
characters of this novel. I related to the themes; such as migration, role of political ideology, role of political
movement, and wider historical context that shapes a character. The novel is set in Calcutta of late 1970’s
and early 80’s around the time when the country is going through a political
turmoil. The novel is about tragic story
of the three main characters and members of a family that are connected to their
place “the Lowland” in different ways. One
who is idealistic and becomes part of the force to take the country into a
revolution and radical change. One who chooses
to migrates in America and start a work and family. A third, that escapes from everything to live
on her own and does not want anything to do with it.
It is a coincidence, that I am reading the novel in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
I understand what the Lowland is all about. Dhaka is flat like Calcutta, and Lowland is a good
expression for the geography of this place. Who can tell that better than
someone who is coming from the Highlands of Afghanistan? I understand that places become important part
of make- up of individual’s identity. Sometime, it is not “who are you?” but “where
are you?” that shape you as a person. It is great novel not to be missed.
