The LowlandThe Lowland
Score Modern
What it's about
In 1950s Calcutta, two brothers, Subhash and Udayan, are inseparable. As young men, Udayan is drawn into a violent revolutionary movement, while Subhash leaves to study in America. When tragedy strikes, Subhash returns home and makes a choice that ties him for life to his brother's young widow, Gauri, and to the daughter she is carrying.
Why it's worth reading
It was a finalist for both the Booker Prize and the National Book Award. It's a quiet, sweeping family story about love, loss and the cost of idealism.
You'll love it if you liked
Unaccustomed Earth
Interpreter of Maladies
The God of Small ThingsGood to know
It spans decades and is slow-paced. There's political violence.
By the numbers
- Readers22 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics64 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller51 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz2 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #183 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #815 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1518 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving, Thought-provoking
More by Jhumpa Lahiri
Interpreter of MaladiesUnaccustomed EarthIf you like this, read next
All the Light We Cannot See
The Help
Pachinko
Shuggie Bain
The Nickel Boys
HamnetExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is The Lowland worth reading?
Yes. It was a finalist for both the Booker Prize and the National Book Award. It ranks #1,518 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 68.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Lowland about?
In 1950s Calcutta, two brothers, Subhash and Udayan, are inseparable. As young men, Udayan is drawn into a violent revolutionary movement, while Subhash leaves to study in America. When tragedy strikes, Subhash returns home and makes a choice that ties him for life to his brother's young widow, Gauri, and to the daughter she is carrying.
How long does it take to read The Lowland?
About 8 hours (340 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Lowland?
If you liked it, try Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri, Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri or The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy.