Lahiri describes a period of unrest in India that was totally unfamiliar to me, but has similarities to the Arab spring and even the awful events in Boston this spring. From this, she describes two brothers: very close, very different styles and life baths, along with family life that is quite different than ours. I was completely drawn into the story which covers many years and likable, but very different protagonists. The concluding chapters tie every story line together smoothly and satisfactorily.