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The Complex
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Expected 10 Mar 26A brilliant, sweeping, tour de force moving between America and modern India, following the illicit liaisons, real estate dramas, political ambitions, and mortal betrayals of one prominent Delhi family—from the author of the National Book Award finalist The Association of Small Bombs.
In a sprawling complex in Delhi, the sons and daughters of SP Chopra, one of India's political architects, live together vying for influence in a family shaped by the great man's legacy. By the late 1970s, the siblings are scrambling to define their own futures in a still-young nation on the brink of transformation.
Sachin Chopra leaves for America, with his bride Gita following not long after, as the newlyweds are eager to forge their own lives beyond the pressures of the family compound. Yet Delhi remains an inescapable force, one that keeps pulling them back, even as Gita is menaced by Sachin’s predatory uncle, Laxman. A man of ruthless ambition, Laxman ascends through the ranks of a rising Hindu nationalist movement, caught between his political aspirations and his personal transgressions. Meanwhile, Vibha, his sister, tries to keep the peace and the reputation of the family intact, even as she wrestles with her own exile.
As India erupts in violence and long-buried secrets come to light, the embattled Chopras must reckon with the cost of power, the weight of tradition, and the shifting nature of love and allegiance. Equal parts brilliant family saga and piercing political drama, The Complex is a virtuosic novel of revenge and redemption, ambition and undoing, loyalty and love, by one of the most lauded voices in contemporary fiction.
In a sprawling complex in Delhi, the sons and daughters of SP Chopra, one of India's political architects, live together vying for influence in a family shaped by the great man's legacy. By the late 1970s, the siblings are scrambling to define their own futures in a still-young nation on the brink of transformation.
Sachin Chopra leaves for America, with his bride Gita following not long after, as the newlyweds are eager to forge their own lives beyond the pressures of the family compound. Yet Delhi remains an inescapable force, one that keeps pulling them back, even as Gita is menaced by Sachin’s predatory uncle, Laxman. A man of ruthless ambition, Laxman ascends through the ranks of a rising Hindu nationalist movement, caught between his political aspirations and his personal transgressions. Meanwhile, Vibha, his sister, tries to keep the peace and the reputation of the family intact, even as she wrestles with her own exile.
As India erupts in violence and long-buried secrets come to light, the embattled Chopras must reckon with the cost of power, the weight of tradition, and the shifting nature of love and allegiance. Equal parts brilliant family saga and piercing political drama, The Complex is a virtuosic novel of revenge and redemption, ambition and undoing, loyalty and love, by one of the most lauded voices in contemporary fiction.
443 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 10, 2026
6812 people want to read
About the author
Karan Mahajan
6 books354 followersKaran Mahajan is the author of "The Association of Small Bombs," which was a finalist for the National Book Award, winner of the NYPL Young Lions Fiction Award, and was named one of the 10 Best Books of the Year by the New York Times Book Review. His debut novel "Family Planning" was a finalist for the International Dylan Thomas Prize. He has been selected as one of Granta’s Best Young American Novelists, and his writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The New York Review of Books, and other venues. He is an associate professor in Literary Arts at Brown University. His third novel, "The Complex," is forthcoming in March 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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March 5, 2026i have succession disease, which is when i can't hear that something is about a family vying for power without thinking about my favorite prestige television show
September 19, 2025
taking preemptive action LOL
September 30, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Viking for the ebook. An epic book that follows three related families in India’s recent past. All three families are in the shadow of their famous patriarch, SP Chopra and are constantly measuring their failures against his greatness, which leads to goals that can never be met. One man throws himself into business, but barely breaks even, another tries to bring the innovations he learned in America back home, but finds his country just isn’t quite set up for these things. A third, Laxman, seduces, or assaults, the women inside the family and becomes a political zealot. With financial pressure and with trying to hold so many secrets, it’s only a matter of time until violence follows.
November 30, 2025
to the PRH rep that pressed this book into my hands at FallCon: thank you. you were right.
March 2, 2026
Thanks to Goodreads and Viking for the review copy.
I remember the opening of Karan Mahajan’s first novel, The Association of Small Bombs, going off like one — a literal bomb. I was immediately pulled in.
His latest novel, The Complex, lives up to its title in a different way. Much is revealed in the first chapter (no spoilers), and it’s the kind of subject matter I often hope not to read about.
The “complex” refers to the apartment building at the center of the story, but like his first novel, it’s also about the complexities of families — long histories, grudges, ego, and the ways people hurt each other without fully understanding why. The family drama mirrors larger political tensions in India, especially around events like the Anti-Sikh riots and the Mandal Commission protests. Mahajan seems less interested in taking political sides and more interested in showing how tribalism and self-righteousness — whether in a country or a family — can cause damage that’s hard to undo.
I’ve seen comparisons to Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky, but I’m not sure that’s quite right. It feels closer to the melodramatic family sagas of Jonathan Franzen or even Tom Wolfe. The language itself is fairly straightforward, but the shifting alliances, betrayals, and emotional undercurrents give it its edge.
Even though I didn’t enjoy it as much as The Association of Small Bombs, I still think it’s a strong novel and will find a wide audience. I could easily see this adapted into a Netflix series — and I would definitely watch that.
I remember the opening of Karan Mahajan’s first novel, The Association of Small Bombs, going off like one — a literal bomb. I was immediately pulled in.
His latest novel, The Complex, lives up to its title in a different way. Much is revealed in the first chapter (no spoilers), and it’s the kind of subject matter I often hope not to read about.
The “complex” refers to the apartment building at the center of the story, but like his first novel, it’s also about the complexities of families — long histories, grudges, ego, and the ways people hurt each other without fully understanding why. The family drama mirrors larger political tensions in India, especially around events like the Anti-Sikh riots and the Mandal Commission protests. Mahajan seems less interested in taking political sides and more interested in showing how tribalism and self-righteousness — whether in a country or a family — can cause damage that’s hard to undo.
I’ve seen comparisons to Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky, but I’m not sure that’s quite right. It feels closer to the melodramatic family sagas of Jonathan Franzen or even Tom Wolfe. The language itself is fairly straightforward, but the shifting alliances, betrayals, and emotional undercurrents give it its edge.
Even though I didn’t enjoy it as much as The Association of Small Bombs, I still think it’s a strong novel and will find a wide audience. I could easily see this adapted into a Netflix series — and I would definitely watch that.
November 30, 2025
I stumbled upon a free, uncorrected proof of The Complex at a bookstore. I enjoy reading realistic fiction books about India and complex familial relationships, so this book seemed up my alley.
At first I felt a bit overwhelmed by the number of characters, but Mahajan spent time digging into many of their motivations and points-of-view. I may have benefited from a family tree, but I believe I sorted everyone out after more detailed chapters cleared things up. I found the women, particularly Gita and Karishma, to be the most compelling. I love a story where everyone is flawed but has redeeming qualities. This rung true in The Complex. Even the seemingly most corrupt, Laxman, had complexity.
Some parts of the story dragged, but the usage of one-sentence chapter cliffhangers kept me steadily reading. Overall, I loved the opportunity to be one of the first to read and review this well-written novel. If you like messy relationships, character-driven storylines, and themes of economic classes, family duty, and the seeking of opportunities, this is a book for you.
At first I felt a bit overwhelmed by the number of characters, but Mahajan spent time digging into many of their motivations and points-of-view. I may have benefited from a family tree, but I believe I sorted everyone out after more detailed chapters cleared things up. I found the women, particularly Gita and Karishma, to be the most compelling. I love a story where everyone is flawed but has redeeming qualities. This rung true in The Complex. Even the seemingly most corrupt, Laxman, had complexity.
Some parts of the story dragged, but the usage of one-sentence chapter cliffhangers kept me steadily reading. Overall, I loved the opportunity to be one of the first to read and review this well-written novel. If you like messy relationships, character-driven storylines, and themes of economic classes, family duty, and the seeking of opportunities, this is a book for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Viking for this advance readers copy, in exchange for an honest review. The Complex is an epic family saga, following the descendants of famed SP Chopra, around the globe from India to the US. Our main characters, Sachin and Gita, are our primary focus in the novel but, we follow many of their family members over time and come to see how family dynamics, politics, gender roles, and an evolving Indian society affect their lives. In particular, we also follow the character, Laxman, Sachin’s uncle, who is an abusive figure and has a heavy role in local politics, giving us insight into this particular landscape.
This was a wonderful story, one that I was really able to sink into and enjoy over time. There are enough plot points that the book moves along swiftly enough but, the real magic here is in the characters. The author does a great job at providing insight into the characters inner motivations and emotions, which helped me understand what was driving them and had me rooting for them. Not all characters were likeable but, this was okay— Laxman in facts was despicable but, was a great way for the reader to really feel the rising tension of the times and as a view into the political climate. There are some difficult experiences to read in this book, particularly related to sexual assault, but the author handles them with care. He covers many important themes throughout this book and these difficult plot points don’t feel at all gratuitous.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who enjoy big, dramatic family sagas!
This was a wonderful story, one that I was really able to sink into and enjoy over time. There are enough plot points that the book moves along swiftly enough but, the real magic here is in the characters. The author does a great job at providing insight into the characters inner motivations and emotions, which helped me understand what was driving them and had me rooting for them. Not all characters were likeable but, this was okay— Laxman in facts was despicable but, was a great way for the reader to really feel the rising tension of the times and as a view into the political climate. There are some difficult experiences to read in this book, particularly related to sexual assault, but the author handles them with care. He covers many important themes throughout this book and these difficult plot points don’t feel at all gratuitous.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who enjoy big, dramatic family sagas!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Complex by Karan Mahajan traces the intertwined lives of an upper-middle-class Delhi joint family across the 70s, 80s and 90s, set against India’s shifting political and economic landscape. As businesses rise and fall and relationships strain, the novel captures ambition, entitlement, and the quiet and not-so-quiet tensions within a family that shares everything — space, power, resentment. The title feels absolutely apt. Almost every character is complicated, even “complexed” — driven by insecurity, ambition, jealousy, desire. Lakshman, especially, felt defined largely by his compulsions; I also struggled to fully make sense of Gita, Karishma, and their spouses — they felt emotionally elusive.
What stayed with me most was the portrayal of the joint family structure itself as complex: supportive yet suffocating, protective yet competitive,
intimate yet boundary-less, capable of nurturing and destruction at the same time. The political backdrop — the Mandal Commission era and the Babri Masjid riots — brought back memories and added depth, offering sharp glimpses into India’s social and economic churn.
At times I felt the novel wasn’t entirely sure what it wanted to say, and it did feel too long and repetitive in parts. Still, I read it steadily. It’s ambitious, layered, and unsettling — even if it didn’t fully move me, it definitely made me think.
Thank you Penguin Viking and Netgalley for the ARC
What stayed with me most was the portrayal of the joint family structure itself as complex: supportive yet suffocating, protective yet competitive,
intimate yet boundary-less, capable of nurturing and destruction at the same time. The political backdrop — the Mandal Commission era and the Babri Masjid riots — brought back memories and added depth, offering sharp glimpses into India’s social and economic churn.
At times I felt the novel wasn’t entirely sure what it wanted to say, and it did feel too long and repetitive in parts. Still, I read it steadily. It’s ambitious, layered, and unsettling — even if it didn’t fully move me, it definitely made me think.
Thank you Penguin Viking and Netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“The Complex” is by Karan Mahajan. I had a difficult time getting into this book. Part of the reason was that, as the title says, it’s a rather complex book, filled with a number of characters (all who are also complex). This book is multi-generational (covering 1970s-1990s) and set against India during that time. I must admit to knowing near nothing about the political and economic status of India, especially during that time, so I found that part of the book interesting. I think this book would’ve benefited from a family tree - but that could just be me. I think if you like slower paced family stories, with some unlikeable characters, this may be a book you’d enjoy. There are some serious matters discussed, but Mahajan treated them carefully and thoughtfully.
“The Complex” is by Karan Mahajan. I had a difficult time getting into this book. Part of the reason was that, as the title says, it’s a rather complex book, filled with a number of characters (all who are also complex). This book is multi-generational (covering 1970s-1990s) and set against India during that time. I must admit to knowing near nothing about the political and economic status of India, especially during that time, so I found that part of the book interesting. I think this book would’ve benefited from a family tree - but that could just be me. I think if you like slower paced family stories, with some unlikeable characters, this may be a book you’d enjoy. There are some serious matters discussed, but Mahajan treated them carefully and thoughtfully.
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February 3, 2026The book has starred reviews, and although I typically enjoy multi-generational family sagas, this one felt lacking in some way. The overall tone seemed dreary, and it lacked a cohesive central narrative that could engage the reader's interest. Overall, the book was just okay. It featured too many different viewpoints and characters, and I found most of them to be unlikable. To me, the language was too straightforward, detailing events one after another, yet it lacked evocative and emotional depth.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC of The Complex
by Karan Mahajan
A smart, quietly intense novel that lingers long after the final page. This isn't a thriller in the traditional sense-it's a character study of entitlement, insecurity, and isolation in contemporary India. I learned so much about Indian society's dynamics. Highly recommend if you love learning more about different cultures
by Karan Mahajan
A smart, quietly intense novel that lingers long after the final page. This isn't a thriller in the traditional sense-it's a character study of entitlement, insecurity, and isolation in contemporary India. I learned so much about Indian society's dynamics. Highly recommend if you love learning more about different cultures
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Good book overall, overly long though, too many different perspectives and I was confused about the main character Laxman, was I supposed to feel sympathy towards or hate him, why write from his point of view? Toxic family relationships were interesting to unpack, but no one was likable at all and everyone has ulterior motives
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This multigenerational family epic was complex in so many different ways. An extended family lives in multi story compound with family members leaving and returning, both the pull of family as well as country. But there are always secrets and lies that eventually come forth especially in a microcosm. A satisfying read.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
Fabulous . Full of nasty baddies
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book had me hooked from chapter 0…the Chopras absolutely leap off the page. The family drama and political intrigue are one and the same.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
2:5 -3 stars Just not for me. Started out strong, but then the disturbing family politics just went on and on for too long. Full review to follow.
own-unread
February 18, 2026Excited to read!!
(Thanks to the publishers for sending me the ARC…just received it in the mail)
(Thanks to the publishers for sending me the ARC…just received it in the mail)
Want to read
February 28, 2026Just won this book through the GoodReads giveaway page. Thanks for selecting me!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Gorgeously lyrical novel with some fantastic plotting. each of the members of this family is really interesting and the story pulls together well. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews