{"product_id":"a-burning-the-most-electrifying-megha-majumdar-9781471190292","title":"A Burning The Most Electrifying Debut Of 2021 by Megha Majumdar (Paperback)","description":"Immaculately constructed, acidly observed and gripping from start to finish, \u003ci\u003eA Burning\u003c\/i\u003e is a brilliant debut.' \u003ci\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eGuardian\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e 'Megha Majumdar's \u003ci\u003eA Burning\u003c\/i\u003e is an uncanny debut, a fierce condemnation of modern India - the corruption, racism, misogyny, the feverish obsession with celebrity - this is the antithesis of shrill. The author, although still in her early thirties, has the composure of a mature artist, and has produced a political novel that makes its wider points through the subtle, intimate exploration of three characters' lives.' \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e A girl walks through the slums of Kolkata holding an armful of books. She returns home smelling of smoke, and checks her most prized possession: a brand-new smartphone, purchased in instalments. On Facebook, there is only one conversation.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e #KolabaganTrainAttack\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e On the small, glowing screen, she types a dangerous thing...\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e '\u003ci\u003eIf the police didn't help ordinary people like you and me, if the police watched them die, doesn't that mean that the government is also a terrorist?'\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Set in contemporary India, \u003ci\u003eA Burning\u003c\/i\u003e is the story of three unforgettable characters, all dreaming of a better future, whose lives are changed for ever when they become caught up in the devastating aftermath of a terrorist attack. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eJivan\u003c\/b\u003e - a poor, young, Muslim girl, who dreams of going to college - faces a possible death sentence after being accused of collaborating with the terrorists.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eLovely\u003c\/b\u003e - an exuberant hijra who longs to be a Bollywood star - holds the alibi that can set Jivan free, but telling the truth will cost her everything she holds dear.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003ePT Sir\u003c\/b\u003e - an opportunistic gym teacher who once taught Jivan - becomes involved with Hindu nationalist politics and his own ascent is soon inextricably linked to Jivan's fall.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Taut, propulsive and electrifying, from its opening lines to its astonishing finale, \u003ci\u003eA Burning\u003c\/i\u003e confronts issues of class, fate, prejudice and corruption with a Dickensian sense of injustice, and asks us to consider what it means to nurture big ambitions in a country hurtling towards political extremism.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Burning\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cb\u003eis a novel for our times and for all time.\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Scribner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54991502704983,"sku":"9781471190292","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0799\/4569\/5575\/files\/9781471190292.jpg?v=1789158184","url":"https:\/\/somiibooks.com\/products\/a-burning-the-most-electrifying-megha-majumdar-9781471190292","provider":"Somiibooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}