Neglected Lives

Stephen Alter’s first novel, originally published in 1978, is still in print with Penguin India. This is the story of a young Anglo-Indian man named Lionel who retreats to a hill station called Debrakot, where he discovers a community living in isolation. Within the forested mountains, Lionel confronts questions about his own identity.

Reviews

Neglected Lives is a short novel of unusual and exquisite quality … Mr. Alter has a rare narrative zest, a surging feeling for the physical world, a strongly individual grasp of character, and an agreeable bite of wit.

The New Yorker
5/5

Paul Scott… Ruth Jhabvala… M.M. Kaye…  Stephen Alter is by no means out of place in this company.

The Daily Telegraph
5/5