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emsavors's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I want to be mad about the ending, but I also feel like I can’t be mad about the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Dysphoria, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Islamophobia, Medical content, Misogyny, Police brutality, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Vomit, and Xenophobia
tbose22's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
No subtlety with this book, which doesn't detract from the plot or characters thankfully but I thought the ending was a bit rushed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Islamophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Blood
marisa_n's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
A Burning, set in Kolkata, India, is written from the perspective of three individuals struggling to find a better life in a society that looks down upon them. Through these POVs, the author explores themes like freedom, justice, and power.
Although the plot moves quickly, I had trouble getting invested in the storyline, as I never really felt connected to any of the characters. I also found the numerous POVs distracting--beyond the three main POVs, the author would jump into a random POV every dozen chapters. I found this jarring, and did not feel that it added value to the storyline. Lastly, while I liked the ending, I thought it could have been executed better.
Although the plot moves quickly, I had trouble getting invested in the storyline, as I never really felt connected to any of the characters. I also found the numerous POVs distracting--beyond the three main POVs, the author would jump into a random POV every dozen chapters. I found this jarring, and did not feel that it added value to the storyline. Lastly, while I liked the ending, I thought it could have been executed better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Transphobia
Moderate: Islamophobia, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, and Violence
cecestonier's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oh my god, this book was phenomenal. It is incredibly difficult to grasp that this novel is Majumdar's debut! This book grapples with such intense themes and leaves much to be questioned and analysed. The corruption of government, the questioning of innocence and the presence of social responsibility. The book is a masterful crafting of a political landscape in a country I have not read much literature about, and despite its basis in Indian culture and the Kolabagan slums, I find that this book is very topical and can be applied to the political plains of many other countries too.
The book was slow to hook me. I was roughly 42% in before I really began to find myself invested in the characters and their storylines. Lovely, in particular, had my heart from the start. A transgender woman who wanted to become a movie star despite people's prejudices. I also LOVED how PT Sir was never named but the two female protagonists were. Perhaps this was an angle to propose two fascinating heroines at the centre of this story, or maybe a reflection of the anonymity of political corruption.
This book was fascinating and undeniably a book I must recommend to everyone who enjoys a challenging and thought provoking read. A HUGE thank you to Kaleidoscopic Tours for allowing me the opportunity to join this book tour, I have found another favourite read of mine, I think!
The book was slow to hook me. I was roughly 42% in before I really began to find myself invested in the characters and their storylines. Lovely, in particular, had my heart from the start. A transgender woman who wanted to become a movie star despite people's prejudices. I also LOVED how PT Sir was never named but the two female protagonists were. Perhaps this was an angle to propose two fascinating heroines at the centre of this story, or maybe a reflection of the anonymity of political corruption.
This book was fascinating and undeniably a book I must recommend to everyone who enjoys a challenging and thought provoking read. A HUGE thank you to Kaleidoscopic Tours for allowing me the opportunity to join this book tour, I have found another favourite read of mine, I think!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Death, and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual assault
larslovesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Wow. Just Wow. I dont even know where to start. First thanks to Simon & Schuster for the ARC Audiobook. I decided to listen to it as I was working and just got swept away. Finished it in one sitting!
This story is so real and so sad and so relentless. Jivan is a young girl who makes a stupid comment on facebook (havent we all?) and is then accused of aiding a terrorist plot and taken to jail. The story takes us through her imprisonment, court case and the aftermath. It also introduces us to a wealth of characters that she interacted with. PT Sir was a former teacher of hers who fuelled with petty resentments and political ambition, leverages Jivan's plight to push his nationlist agenda. Lovely is a Hijra - in this case seen a s a transgender woman (who is also revered as having a close connection to divinity). She is an aspiring actress who was being tutuored by Jivan on how to speak English. She is initially a staunch defender of Jivan but lverages the publicity of the case to push her acting career.
Another main character in this book is the might of the state. There are several interludes and sub plots where we see how poor people are marginalised - like the case of 2 men being charged to enter a new mall (a tactic designed to keep poor people our), or how a moslem family is killed in a village because a cow goes missing, and ofcourse how Jivan is treated. I've read articles about the rise of nationalism in India and how thats creating religious tensions and how women are raped or molested - which are themes you see reflected in this book.
The author does a very deft job of tackling the issues and the characters who all have issues and are morally ambiguous. Even Jivan who is innocent of her charges isnt completely pure - what she is, is young and you cant help but think her actions would have very different consequences in oher countries. I always enjoy reading books with morally grey characters but in this case you also have a view of the unfairness of the world which is what makes it very real for me as there's nothing that can be done about it and not everyone gets their comeuppance. Jivan remains ever hopeful whilst the people who you would think will support her are corrupted or bought in different ways.
I would love to read an Indian person's take on this and how realistic the portrayal is. I really enjoyed this - the audio narrators did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and enacting the story. The end finished me but I loved it. Excellent book and highly recommended from me.
This story is so real and so sad and so relentless. Jivan is a young girl who makes a stupid comment on facebook (havent we all?) and is then accused of aiding a terrorist plot and taken to jail. The story takes us through her imprisonment, court case and the aftermath. It also introduces us to a wealth of characters that she interacted with. PT Sir was a former teacher of hers who fuelled with petty resentments and political ambition, leverages Jivan's plight to push his nationlist agenda. Lovely is a Hijra - in this case seen a s a transgender woman (who is also revered as having a close connection to divinity). She is an aspiring actress who was being tutuored by Jivan on how to speak English. She is initially a staunch defender of Jivan but lverages the publicity of the case to push her acting career.
Another main character in this book is the might of the state. There are several interludes and sub plots where we see how poor people are marginalised - like the case of 2 men being charged to enter a new mall (a tactic designed to keep poor people our), or how a moslem family is killed in a village because a cow goes missing, and ofcourse how Jivan is treated. I've read articles about the rise of nationalism in India and how thats creating religious tensions and how women are raped or molested - which are themes you see reflected in this book.
The author does a very deft job of tackling the issues and the characters who all have issues and are morally ambiguous. Even Jivan who is innocent of her charges isnt completely pure - what she is, is young and you cant help but think her actions would have very different consequences in oher countries. I always enjoy reading books with morally grey characters but in this case you also have a view of the unfairness of the world which is what makes it very real for me as there's nothing that can be done about it and not everyone gets their comeuppance. Jivan remains ever hopeful whilst the people who you would think will support her are corrupted or bought in different ways.
I would love to read an Indian person's take on this and how realistic the portrayal is. I really enjoyed this - the audio narrators did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and enacting the story. The end finished me but I loved it. Excellent book and highly recommended from me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Islamophobia, and Sexual assault
laurenleigh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Rape, Death, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Transphobia
Minor: Suicide
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