A Burning

A gripping debut novel about three heroes living in modern India, each pursuing different goals: to rise into the middle class, to join political power, to achieve fame in cinema—and they discover that their lives are directly tied to a recent incident.

Jeevan, a Muslim schoolgirl from a slum, is accused of a terrorist attack on a train due to an careless comment she made on social media. The school’s physical education teacher may testify in court and save the girl from death, but he faces a difficult choice: his own career in politics—or proving the girl’s innocence. Lovey, a representative of the caste of the untouchables, studied English with the schoolgirl, and she has an alibi for Jeevan that will put an end to the case. But to do that, Lovey must bet everything she has managed to achieve.

Tense and fast-moving, “The Burning” dazzles with the author’s confidence and courage. Majumdar touches on many complex issues—class inequality, the inevitability of fate, the inevitability of corruption, and faith in your biggest dreams in a country where politics affects the life of every person.

“Megha Majumdar’s ‘The Burning’ is the best debut novel I’ve come across in a long time. Somehow Majumdar managed to convey the boundless energy and hope of young people in the country. Her debut declares the arrival of a new voice with enormous talent and prospects.” — Amitav Ghosh