A review by amandaclaire
A Burning by Megha Majumdar

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

A Burning is a tense, fast-paced, and deeply political novel about three characters whose lives begin to impact one another after the wrongful imprisonment of a young, Muslim woman. This book was not at all what I was expecting it to be, but I found it to be an interesting approach to examine how people use tragedy for their own ascension to power. I do wish there was a more human connection made between the characters, particularly between Jivan and her mother, as they sometimes felt like political chess pieces moving across a board. I really enjoyed Lovely's chapters — she was a lively, engaging, fresh voice that added some much needed levity between heavier chapters. 
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