A Burning

A Burning follows three interconnected characters in contemporary Kolkata, India. The story begins when a young Muslim woman named Jivan witnesses a terrorist attack on a train and makes a Facebook post about it, leading to her arrest as a suspect. The narrative unfolds through Jivan's perspective and those of two other characters: PT Sir, her former gym teacher who rises in right-wing politics, and Lovely, an aspiring transgender actress. Each character faces decisions that will impact not only their own lives but also the fate of the accused. The novel moves at a rapid pace through modern India's social and political landscape, examining class divisions, religious tensions, and the power of social media. Its crisp prose and tight plotting keep the focus on the characters' choices and their consequences. This debut novel explores themes of justice, ambition, and loyalty in a society marked by rapid change and mounting religious nationalism. The story raises questions about truth, power, and the price of individual advancement in contemporary India.

Readers note the book's fast pace and compelling interweaving of three character perspectives in contemporary India. The structure builds tension through short chapters and shifting viewpoints. Readers appreciate: - Raw portrayal of social inequality and injustice - Clear, straightforward writing style - Character development of Lovely - Examination of social media's role in public opinion Common criticisms: - Plot feels rushed in final third - Some character arcs left unresolved - Political themes overshadow character depth - Too many narrative threads introduced without closure Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (55,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (2,300+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (800+ ratings) Reader comments highlight the ending as particularly divisive. As one Goodreads reviewer notes: "The conclusion felt abrupt after such careful character building." Multiple readers mention wanting more resolution for secondary characters but praise the author's ability to maintain suspense throughout.

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🔹 The novel emerged from a real-life train station bombing in Kolkata that occurred in 2014, which Majumdar read about while living in New York. 🔹 Hijras, represented by the character PT Sir in the novel, are a legally recognized third gender in India since 2014, with a history dating back over 4,000 years in South Asian culture. 🔹 Majumdar wrote the first draft of "A Burning" while working full-time as an editor at Catapult, spending early mornings and weekends crafting the story over three years. 🔹 The book became an instant New York Times bestseller and was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2020 by the New York Times Book Review – a rare achievement for a debut novel. 🔹 The author conducted extensive research by visiting Kolkata slums and interviewing residents to authentically portray the living conditions and daily struggles of characters like Jivan.