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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really great book with 3 unique characters and their journeys. Seeing all the stories unfold separately while all tied to one main theme was very interesting and seeing how they all ultimately tied together was satisfying. I found mys lf hoping for any ending aside from the one we got but I think that is what made the book as powerful as it was. The glimpse into all of these characters different lives and what motivated them really fleshed our the setting of the book and what all the characters were going through
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The story follows Jivan, a Muslim Indian young woman who sees her dreams of having a better life than the one her parents had vanish before her eyes as she becomes the perfect scapegoat for a heinous crime and used by media and political parties to sell a story that holds little resemblance to reality.
This book was not for me. I finished it less than a week ago and can barely remember what happened to even write this review. Maybe that’s because not a lot did happen!
In the book, a young Muslim girl in India, Jivan, is charged with plotting a terrorist attack on a train that killed 100+ people. The story is told from her perspective, as well as that of Lovely and PT Sir, both of whom knew her.
It felt like we were just going through the motions all book without anything of interest actually happening. The characters weren’t well-developed and, in turn, not particularly likable. They also barely interacted so the book felt choppy and all over the place.
Overall, this one wasn’t my cup of tea. It was too political for my liking and I found it boring. Not one I’d recommend.
In the book, a young Muslim girl in India, Jivan, is charged with plotting a terrorist attack on a train that killed 100+ people. The story is told from her perspective, as well as that of Lovely and PT Sir, both of whom knew her.
It felt like we were just going through the motions all book without anything of interest actually happening. The characters weren’t well-developed and, in turn, not particularly likable. They also barely interacted so the book felt choppy and all over the place.
Overall, this one wasn’t my cup of tea. It was too political for my liking and I found it boring. Not one I’d recommend.
Solid story, unexpected but also expected ending that left me wanting more interaction between the characters. Would have given it a higher railing if the relationship between the characters were stronger. While it has compelling characters, the book felt like three separate narratives. I wanted more body to it. Quick and fun read overall enjoyable
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A really electrifying exploration of class and corruption within contemporary India. Though A Burning is not without its flaws, I'm compelled to give it 5 stars anyways because of what an absorbing, unique read it was. I'm especially impressed considering this is Majumdar's debut novel. Her three main characters—Jivan, PT Sir, and Lovely—each possess their own distinct voice and style. The way some rose to power at the expense of others, selling their morality in exchange for a better life, felt like a bitter but honest portrait of human nature and how the elite slowly and subtly manipulates the powerless for their own advantage.
I won't say I liked the ending, but I did think it was the necessary ending for this particular book. Choosing to end with sunshine and rainbows just wouldn't have fit what feels like a very fitting examination of our current moment. Our systems are broken. Our days are plagued with ceaseless violence, poverty, and injustice. More often than not, those charged with protecting us are easily swayed towards the opposite. In sum, A Burning demonstrates the everyday banality of evil, and the terrible consequences it holds for the innocent. Definitely a great read for anyone as deeply unsettled by our current climate—it's like holding a mirror up to society.
I won't say I liked the ending, but I did think it was the necessary ending for this particular book. Choosing to end with sunshine and rainbows just wouldn't have fit what feels like a very fitting examination of our current moment. Our systems are broken. Our days are plagued with ceaseless violence, poverty, and injustice. More often than not, those charged with protecting us are easily swayed towards the opposite. In sum, A Burning demonstrates the everyday banality of evil, and the terrible consequences it holds for the innocent. Definitely a great read for anyone as deeply unsettled by our current climate—it's like holding a mirror up to society.