Megha Majudmar’s A Burning follows hot on the heels of We Met in December. In keeping with the many popular South Asian beverages enjoyed in the novel, this week I prepared a rich chai latte.
Who Decides Your Destiny?
A fast-paced novel rich with wit and ambition, A Burning begins with the story of young Jivan, a Muslim girl living in a slum in Bangladesh and desperate to give her family a better life. She proudly works retail at a local clothing store, having left school early to care for her parents. Optimistic that she can change their fate, Jivan believes that all citizens deserve a chance in life, and she has the power to raise herself from poverty. All of her youthful hope comes crashing down when she is falsely accused of committing a terrorist bombing that led to hundreds of fatalities. Suddenly, complete strangers are confirming her fictitious anti-nationalist behavior and demanding she be brought to justice. No longer in control of her own fate, Jivan is imprisoned, now relying on the testimonies and goodwill of others to prove her innocence.
PT Sir and Lovely, two equally ambitious individuals, each knew and liked Jivan. PT Sir, formerly Jivan’s sympathetic schoolteacher, yearns for greater recognition, finding it with a right-wing political party which seeks to gain national power. Soon, his political ascent grows inextricably connected with Jivan’s fate.
A hilarious, bold young woman, Lovely aspires to become an actress, receiving English lessons from Jivan before her imprisonment so that she might better read scripts. Like PT Sir, at the time of Jivan’s condemnation, Lovely has the chance to pursue the career of her dreams. Yet more than just her fate hangs in the balance of this pursuit - Lovely has the alibi that can free Jivan, if she has the courage to share it.
“'The country needs someone to punish,' I tell him. 'And I am that person.'”
Three dreamers seek to control their destiny in an increasingly divided state, and must decide for themselves who and what they’ll stand for.
What are we willing to risk for the sake of others?
Questioning Everything
A breathless novel that reads almost like a thriller, A Burning is characterized by palpable suspense and compelling characters. Navigating corruption, classism, justice, sexism, transphobia, and religious xenophobia, Megha Majumdar implores us to wonder what we’d do to clear someone’s name, or immortalize our own.
And boy, did these characters have me questioning everything. Jivan and Lovely were immediately likeable, and I so desperately wanted them to each find safety and happiness. Jivan's narration was especially arresting, and I often found myself tense with worry for her, or crying for her heartbreak. She had such trust in a system that should have supported her, such faith that she could author her own destiny. And Jivan was a mere high-school-aged girl - why should she think any different? As was Majumdar's goal, Jivan and Lovely's hope broke my heart and made me itch for justice. I truly admired each young woman's tenacity; Lovely's persistent optimism never failed to make me smile. Her sense of humor, too, was contagious - Lovely's perspective was probably my favorite to read. Though I empathized less with PT Sir, each character was endowed with such a unique voice that the shifts in POV where wholly transformative. This couldn't have been easy to accomplish, either, considering that the three were largely united in ambition and dreamt of a better life. In fact, Lovely and PT Sir both sought acclaim and respect; it's funny to see what disparate yet linear paths they took to get there.
Now, for however much I didn't enjoy PT Sir as a character, he felt incredibly real to me. So many people seize the opportunity to gain recognition when it presents itself, and PT Sir did genuinely seem morally torn by the things his political allies compelled him to do. He definitely made me wonder what I'd have done in his place, though Lovely pushed me even further. Lovely, a confident young trans woman, was so utterly herself and unafraid to pursue her dreams. Her choices felt motivated by not just ambition, but by self-preservation, as she very literally would not have the money to buy food or support herself if she didn't follow this new path. In comparison, PT Sir's actions felt more hollow and selfish, and though he did experience guilt for his role in the political sphere, his choices were etched with a calculating hand, and he knew exactly what he was doing (and not doing.)
This striking array of characters and perspectives was beautifully, heart-wrenchingly rendered. The many mixed identities painted a breathless portrait of life, hope, power, and injustice. Majumdar's novel made me evaluate my own morals and consider the trust I place in humanity. And PT Sir's role in Jivan's fate brought to my attention the quiet, powerful influence a single person can have on the trajectory of another's life. Each life woven beautifully together, even the bustling city and lush villages were captured in stunning detail, scents and sights swirling with color and life.
Though the plot and dialogue are fast-paced, the novel doesn't pass by in a blur - Majumdar manages to evoke suspense without neglecting the characterization of her protagonists. A Burning earns a solid 4 stars out of 5, because I'd like to have learned more about Jivan's parents and in turn perhaps remove some of the focus from PT Sir's political rise. I'd recommend A Burning to anyone open to more serious thriller novels or those featuring social commentary, or fans of novels like Big Little Lies or Such a Fun Age.
Spilling Tea
To be honest, I've been waiting for the chance to integrate a chai latte into my weekly brews. I LOVE chai, and typically enjoy a cup of iced Tazo chai once a day. It's somehow rich without feeling filling, and leaves me energized without the jitters of coffee. Now, I can't speak to how accurately Tazo-brand chai captures the authentic flavor of Indian chai, but Tazo seems to strike the perfect balance of spices. (I try to sample a chai latte from any coffee shop I visit, and some are too watered-down and mild, while others are packed with an overpowering amount of pepper or star anise.)
So naturally, when PT Sir enjoyed a warm cup of chai, I flew to my fridge to prepare a matching brew. Chai tea, also known as masala chai, originated in India but has gained global renown. For a homemade chai recipe, consider consulting Swasthi's Recipes. Sencha Tea Bar also offers some interesting chai variations and cool quizzes to help you discover the brew that's right for you.
I prefer a tea to milk ratio of 3:1 with some ice, though it's just as delicious hot. Any milk works with this latte, really, from oat milk to cow's milk. However, the truly integral features of this beverage are flavors such as black pepper, black tea, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and ginger. Some like to add a little maple syrup, star anise, espresso, or brown sugar to their taste. This spiced aromatic drink is perfect for the chilly winter season, but also fits the narrative. A Burning begins innocently enough, but packs a punch with hidden flavor and strong background characters.
Cheers to moral quandaries and questioning everything!! :)
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