Two Lives

Version: Abridged
Author: Vikram Seth
Narrator: Eve Karpf , Tim Bentinck , Vincent Ebrahim
Genres: History, Biographies, Memoirs
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published In: November 2005
# of Units: 6 CDs
Length: 8 hours
Ratings:
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Overview

Two Lives weaves together two extraordinary stories that comprise one astonishing love affair: that of Vikram's great-uncle Shanti, brought up in India and sent in the 1930s to Berlin to study dentistry, and that of his great-aunt Henny, whose German-Jewish family took Shanti in as a lodger. When Henny fled to England just before the war, she was met by the only person she knew in the country: Shanti.

The events that shaped their lives shaped a century: war took Shanti to North Africa, the Middle East and the battle of Monte Cassino, where his right arm was blown off; persecution left Henny desperately searching for news of her mother and sister. After marrying Henny, Shanti defied his injury and once again resumed his profession, and in the 1970s the childless couple welcomed a new arrival to their home: their great-nephew from India, the teenage student, Vikram Seth.

Two Lives is a remarkable tapestry encompassing the history of the twentieth-century; part biography, part memoir, part meditation on our times, it is a true tale masterfully told by one of our greatest living writers.

Selected Reviews

Two Lives

by Laurajean
  • Book Rating: 1/5

Enjoyed the story

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 4/5

More...

Read All 4

Reviews (4)

Two Lives

Written by Laurajean on December 30th, 2009

  • Book Rating: 1/5

Absolute, categorically hated it. This is not a book, but someone's arrogant excuse for documenting their dull and meaningless life. I didn't care about him, his life or this book. Move on, there are many more enjoyable books out there.

Enjoyed the story

Written by Anonymous from Colorado Springs, CO on August 16th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed the story and how it was presented. I thought it was enlightening and thought provoking. The reader gets a personal perspective of World War II times. It could not have been told without the letters and I appreciated how different actors read the letters. I recommend this book, especially for those who want to explore different cultures and times.

Two Lives

Written by Kalyani Vasan from Winnetka, CA on June 30th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 0/5

Two Lives by Vikram Seth is a pathetic excuse of a book. I could not even stand listening to the end of the first C.D leave alone the remaining five. I understand that every life experience is unique and we all feel it is a story worth telling--but this one is certainly not worth telling! Or listening to...

Two Lives

Written by Adam from New York, NY on October 24th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 1/5

Giving this book a one is an insult to the lowness of the number one.By far the most boring CD that has ever entered my car. After I listened to this book I took my car for a tune-up as a way of apologizing.

Selected Reviews

Two Lives

by Laurajean
  • Book Rating: 1/5

Enjoyed the story

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 4/5

More...

Read All 4

Author Details

Author Details

Seth, Vikram

Vikram Seth has written acclaimed books in several genres: verse novel, "The Golden Gate"; travel book, "From Heaven Lake"; animal fables, "Beastly Tales"; epic fiction, "A Suitable Boy". His most recent novel, "An Equal Music", was published in 1999. He lives in England and India.