Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

In Flammen by Megha Majumdar

26 reviews

dowleyrachel's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I was hoping that this would take a twist, or create a hero from an unexpected place. But it seems like it's supposed to read like a tragedy, where the desire to escape poverty and live a modern middle class lifestyle will cause all to blur lines of justice and remove themselves from accountability of the neighbor. Would be curious to know more about where the author drew inspiration from and the real life stories they are trying to echo.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Rape, Islamophobia, Murder, Police brutality, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Confinement

there's a moment where a group of people at a political rally form a mob and kill 3 daughters, rape their mother, and kill the father of a Muslim family over a supposed rumor that he butchered a cow. The scene was not long but the details were still very vivid.

imaginaryisobel's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Really quick read and some really interesting topics discussed but I really didn't connect to any of the characters and a lot of it fell flat for me. Didn't not enjoy just felt very meh

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, and Islamophobia

Moderate: Violence, Racism, Transphobia, and Death

Minor: Animal death and Confinement

seethinglloron's review against another edition

dark funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I struggled with the pacing of this. It's sharp and loud and unapologetic about its political theming, but I found some chapters so much stronger than others that it slowed my progress. I thought Lovely and Jivan had stronget voices than PT Sir, and Lovely had movement in her chapters that the other two didn't.

Part of me feels that I would feel differently if I could better see the characters as metaphors for communities rather than standalone personas, but alas.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Murder, and Islamophobia

yesmarz730's review against another edition

dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

It takes a minute to get started and towards the middle kind of looses momentum but when it picks up again it had me on my toes. The story of Jivan and PT Sir is so intense, and heart barking. This is the first book that I have read that literally had me in tears. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry

Minor: Child death and Rape

laurenw's review against another edition

reflective sad

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Transphobia, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Medical content, Misogyny, and Excrement

____emily____'s review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Minor: Islamophobia, Confinement, and Religious bigotry

travelseatsreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

I'd put off reading A Burning for a bit as I'd seen quite a few hit or miss reviews. If it's one you're in two minds about picking up I would suggest definitely giving it a chance, especially the audiobook.

The story centers around 3 major characters, Jivan who is imprisoned for a terrorist act she did not commit, Lovely a transgender woman chasing her dream to become an actress and PT Sir an opportunistic gym teacher with some very questionable morals. Through their eyes we get to see a heartbreaking story of corruption, oppression and intense manipulation unfold.

Megha Majumdar has written each character so distinctively and vibrantly that from within the first few moments I was immediately captivated and connected to the characters and their stories. This connection was definitely enhanced by the energetic and spirited audiobook narration which fully brought each character to life.

A thought-provoking, heart-breaking novel which looks at some complex issues without feeling overbearing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Violence, Police brutality, Racism, Sexism, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Islamophobia, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia

aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition

challenging sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

This book touches on a lot of socio-political topics in India (and really could apply to many other places as well). I think overall a very well done book. There were some parts I felt slowed down the pace a little bit but the characters were interesting and waiting to find out how Jivan's trial will go kept the story going. A bit heartbreaking as well.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia

kaylaboevers's review against another edition

emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Classism, Death, Racism, Islamophobia, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Rape

bridgetbo's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Death, Confinement, and Classism