Low

By Jeet Thayil (Allen & Unwin)

This poet, musician and novelist was born in Kerala, India, and his debut novel, Narcopolis, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and the Man Asian Literary Prize.

Low plunges into one of the world’s most intriguing cities: following the death of his wife, Dominic Ullis escapes to Bombay (the city is now known as Mumbai, but the book uses the former name).

Ullis is unable, or unwilling, to deal with his empty house and life in Delhi, and while the flight to Bombay may be impromptu it signals the beginning of the next (dark) chapter of his life.

In a weekend of misadventure, his escapades lead him into the fabulous wealth of the high-rise world and the raw streets they tower over.

He encounters a cast of people with their own stories to tell, but Ullis is not sure he can trust any of them.