A Burning
The most electrifying debut of 2021
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A Burning
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By:
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Megha Majumdar
About this listen
'A big hit in America last year, this buzzy debut about the impact of a terrorist attack in a Kolkata slum on three connected characters is full of hot-button global topics, including violent nationalism' Metro
‘Powerful. […] Majumdar’s page-turning thriller seeks to open our eyes to the role of persecution in populist politics’ – Mail on Sunday
‘An evocative insight into class, corruption, injustice and power dynamics, this poignant tale makes for memorable reading’ Cosmopolitan
‘Majumdar conjures up three notably effervescent, intense voices’? Daily Telegraph
'A brilliant character study about politics and power, this assured debut moves at a thriller's pace but with a meticulous eye for detail.' Nikesh Shukla
'A Burning is a political thriller so charged and tense, it will keep you reading after lights out.' Red Magazine
A girl walks through the slums of Kolkata holding an armful of books. She returns home smelling of smoke, and checks her most prized possession: a brand-new smartphone, purchased in instalments. On Facebook, there is only one conversation.
#KolabaganTrainAttack
On the small, glowing screen, she types a dangerous thing…
‘If the police didn’t help ordinary people like you and me, if the police watched them die, doesn’t that mean that the government is also a terrorist?’
Set in contemporary India, A Burning is the story of three unforgettable characters, all dreaming of a better future, whose lives are changed for ever when they become caught up in the devastating aftermath of a terrorist attack.
Jivan – a poor, young, Muslim girl, who dreams of going to college – faces a possible death sentence after being accused of collaborating with the terrorists.
Lovely – an exuberant hijra who longs to be a Bollywood star – holds the alibi that can set Jivan free, but telling the truth will cost her everything she holds dear.
PT Sir – an opportunistic gym teacher who once taught Jivan – becomes involved with Hindu nationalist politics and his own ascent is soon inextricably linked to Jivan’s fall.
Taut, propulsive and electrifying, from its opening lines to its astonishing finale, A Burning confronts issues of class, fate, prejudice and corruption with a Dickensian sense of injustice, and asks us to consider what it means to nurture big ambitions in a country hurtling towards political extremism.
A Burning is a novel for our times and for all time.
©2020 Meghar Majumdar (P)2020 Simon & Schuster UK
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What listeners say about A Burning
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BR
- 26-03-22
Exquisite Storytelling
A heartbreaking but not sentimental story of modern India. It's beautifully written; the characters are so real and captivating that they'll live with you. It deserves the best narration, and it gets it. I'll seek out more by Megha Majumdar.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Peter
- 29-01-21
A tale for modern times
Not deeply intense but interesting story reflecting modern day India and personal ambitions with a sobering message.
Well written and excellently performed
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Violin Geek
- 19-02-21
beautifully written
This book is closely observed and beautifully written. Lyrical text, well narated, a pleasure to listen to.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Vera
- 30-01-23
I can’t remember what made me buy this, but I am glad I did
In the beginning I was a bit taken aback by the politics, but wow this book gathers speed….
The audiobook really benefits from the characters having their own narrators.
It leaves me wondering how desensitised I am for not crying at how cheap a life is in a corrupt world. I feel this might be the novel’s credit.
It is scary though. I don’t like it when the bad guys win.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. Susannah C. Lester
- 04-09-22
Devastating
A devastating journey through the world of poverty, racism, the media and desperation to survive.
It was an education for me even though I’ve travelled in India 3 times.
The only criticism I have is that there is very little compassion in the characters one meets along the way , and a little softer handling of some of the people in the wings of the story would have given I think a more balanced view of the humanity that is along side the poverty in India. The main characters were so well drawn. Amazing debut, I will certainly look for more!
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Myra Walsh
- 15-04-22
“Happiness was but the occasional episode in a general drama of pain.” — Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge
“Happiness was but the occasional episode in a general drama of pain.”
— Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge
I was so often reminded of this quote as I read this novel.
Very touching, very moving.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sof
- 04-02-21
Insightful
An insight into real lives, small scale corruption causing much bigger damage, and the winners and losers in it all. I particularly appreciated the window on transexual culture in India. A mesmerising tale.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- stephen moss
- 27-12-22
Poignant and acerbic portrait of India
Characters and their narratives intertwine. I really enjoyed the performances as each voice drew us into the characters as they swam in a current they cannot control.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- AJCW
- 15-10-21
Exceptional
Completely caught up from beginning to end - incredible narration all round and a story that is so resonant and so well written. Would highly recommend to anyone.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 01-04-21
Good read
It's a fine story that explores media influenced society and how it can change lives and cost them too. I preferred Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance. For that immersion into India's societal attitude and a flavour of how life works there
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