The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

The Mitra brothers grow up in a neighborhood outside Calcutta. Many hours are spent exploring the marshy lowland near their home. Subhash the older brother, embraces the traditions of his Indian culture and wants to do the right thing. Udayan, the passionate and idealistic younger brother, finds himself caught up in the political turmoil of the 1960's.  When Subhash leaves for the United States to study, he expects to return someday and marry the woman his parents have chosen for him.  Instead his brother is brutally killed and Subhash finds himself escaping to America with Udayan's widow in order to make sure her unborn baby will be safe.  All these lofty goals.  All these attempts to do the right thing.  So many ways it can go wrong.  As their lives unravel, it is hard to identify who makes the right and wrong choices.  It is not so much an Indian story as it is a clash between cultural expectations and personal ambition that would resonate in any setting.