A Burning by Megha Majumdar ★★★★★ and ❤

[John]

This short debut novel tells the story of the intersecting lives of three characters in contemporary India who become tragically entwined. Although epic in its scope, it is intimate in detail, balancing political commentary with profound human insight.

The novel begins with Jivan, a young Muslim woman from the slums of Kolkata, who makes an offhand comment on Facebook about a recent terrorist attack and the government’s failure to protect its citizens. This seemingly small act sets off a chain of events that leads to her arrest and accusation of aiding the terrorists. Her former gym teacher, PT Sir, sees her plight as a stepping stone to political advancement, and Lovely, a transgender aspiring Bollywood actress whom Jivan once tutored in English, is caught between loyalty and self-preservation.

The author is skilled in telling a story using concise prose, but that is still able to pull the reader into the primary characters' inner worlds, i.e., their motivations, emotions, and introspections. Through its characters, the reader explores themes of political corruption, achievement without a moral compass, and the dangers of social media. All the characters are less than virtuous presenting as flawed creatures, sometimes brave but at other times, selfish. I would recommend this book is you enjoy thought-provoking literary fiction. I look forward to reading other works by this author.

[Booknblues]

I remember it being incredibly sad.

[John]

That it was!

[Anita]

John wrote: "This short debut novel tells the story of the intersecting lives of three characters in contemporary India who become tragically entwined. Although epic in its scope, it is intimate in detail, bala..."

John, I private messaged you, but not sure you received it. Do you want to choose a tag for the vote? If so, please let me know your nomination asap.

[Joanne]

A very sad book. From my review

This was a hard one for me to rate. When I started it, I was unsure whether it was the book for me. However, something moved me forward. Although the book never called to me, I picked it up every night and read 2 or 3 chapters. I think part of the problem was the sadness of the reality: The world as of today is portrayed so efficiently and clearly, you cannot help but feel disgusted by your fellow man.

[Hannah]

I can't say I enjoyed reading this book as it was such a difficult book to read, but it was very thought-provoking, and a book that has stayed with me in the last couple of years.

[John]

Hannah wrote: "I can't say I enjoyed reading this book as it was such a difficult book to read, but it was very thought-provoking, and a book that has stayed with me in the last couple of years."

I didn't give this book five stars because I loved the ending; however, I did give it five stars for what you have stated, Hannah. It was thought-provoking and it will haunt me for some time.

[Booknblues]

I read A Burning shortly after reading Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line which won an Edgar.

It also is quite difficult and gives one much to think about.

You may consider reading that but give yourself a some space between.

Those two books will forever be associated in my mind.