Association of Small Bombs -- Background (no spoilers) (Dec 2017)

[Marc]

Welcome to our December 2017 Moderator Pick discussion! This thread will be for general discussion of the book in terms of background, the author, dropping in to let us know you'll be joining us, etc. Please use the other threads to discuss specifics (plot details, passages, "spoilers", etc.).



Background/Context Links
- List of Terrorist Incidents in India
- BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)
- LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam)
- Religious Conflicts: Hindus vs. Sikhs in India
- Kashmir: Why India & Pakistan Fight Over It
- What is Fueling the Jammu and Kashmir Insurgency?
- Jagmohan Malhotra

REVIEWS/INTERVIEWS/ETC.
- Karan Mahajan's Website (links to awards and lots of reviews for this book)
- Guernica Magazine Author Interview
- Other Writing by Mahajan

Feel free to add your own links, first impressions, or just let us know how familiar you are with the writing, the issues, India, etc.

[Hugh]

Thanks Marc. I am about halfway through the book - probably a bit early to say very much about it yet. I think much of the background is familiar enough for me not to need any revision. I hope to finish it over the next couple of days (Christmas-related social commitments permitting)...

[LindaJ^]

I read the book in audio a year or so ago when it was long listed for theNBA. It was not my favorite but does tell a sad and compelling story about the effects of terrorism.

[Carol]

I'll be joining, but can't start for a couple of days. This background material and the links rock. Thanks, Marc.

[Carol]

Oh, and my knowledge of political and conflict issues --other than wrt the tech industry and e-commerce vertical-- in India is sorely lacking. I wanted to read this novel, in part, to help remedy that gap. Great map, btw.

[Marc]

Glad you three will be joining in the discussion whenever time permits!

This book very much brings into question just how much we can keep up with and how we react to/sympathize with "smaller" attacks and distant conflicts.