A Burning

The stunning debut novel by the author of A Guardian and a Thief

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Critic reviews

‘Megha Majumdar’s A Burning is an uncanny debut, a fierce condemnation of modern India - the corruption, racism, misogyny, the feverish obsession with celebrity – this is the antithesis of shrill. The author, although still in her early thirties, has the composure of a mature artist, and has produced a political novel that makes its wider points through the subtle, intimate exploration of three characters’ lives.’

‘This is a short, sharp shock of a novel that shows us how easy it is to rally a mob, to kill a Muslim woman and to silence a whole community. These are things we all know on paper, but the power of a great novelist – and Majumdar has a Dickensian flair and scope – is to transform what we simply know into something we can feel. What a treat to start the year with a talent as fresh as this’

'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.'

‘Powerful. […] Majumdar’s page-turning thriller seeks to open our eyes to the role of persecution in populist politics’

‘Majumdar conjures up three notably effervescent, intense voices’?

‘Astonishing […] a novel of exceptional vision and craft. It offers a memorable portrait of Kolkata, a deeply moving human story, and provocative reflections on our times’

‘Melding political thriller with dreamy bildungsroman, this searing debut follows three characters in the aftermath of a devastating terrorattack. […] An unflinching take on corruption and its consequences’

'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.'

'Immaculately constructed, acidly observed and gripping from start to finish, A Burning is a brilliant debut.'

Most relevant

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