Hardback: 393 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Chatto and Windus 2023
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentences: The last day Pirbhai spent in Gujarat was ignited by a sun that could not last. The heat was a dry beast, scorching the fields yellow as gora hair.
Review Quote: An ambitious, powerful read, it will transport you through time and across the globe, with a story that you won't forget ― Glamour,
My Opinion:
‘A History of Burning’ is a debut novel taking its inspiration from historical events in India, East Africa, England and Canada between 1898 and 1992. The author has obviously used her imagination, but has also done extensive research. Some events and chronology have been altered or compressed for the sake of the storyline. Wow, what a story!
A multi generational family saga, following Pirbhai and his descendants, from the time Pirbhai, at just thirteen years of age is coerced into labouring on the railway in India. He meets and marries Sonal, and they have three daughters, Latika, Mayuri and Kiya. Parents, children and grandchildren disperse across the world as they flee the brutality of life in Uganda.
A moving story full of trust and determination in the family’s ability to survive all that life throws at them. An ambitious intense novel that I can recommend to anyone that wants to learn more about this period in history from the Indian/Ugandan point of view.
Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:
Tricked aboard a boat to East Africa, Pirbhai is only thirteen when he is forced by the British into labouring on the railway. Under sweltering heat, hungry and frightened, he commits a terrible act just to survive.
He will never tell a soul, even when he meets Sonal, a fierce, loving woman with whom he starts a family in hope of a better life. But their granddaughters come of age in a divided nation. Latika falls headlong into the student protest movement, Mayuri's ambitions take her far from home, while Kiya's friendship with a Black Ugandan boy threatens them both.
Finally forced to flee, the family scatters across the world. They take with them a favourite rolling pin, a handful of photos, and a secret - that one day, will help them find each other again.
Author Profile:
Janika Oza is a writer based in Toronto.
She was the winner of a 2022 O. Henry Prize for Short Fiction and the 2020 Kenyon Review Short Fiction Contest. She has received fellowships and support from VONA, Tin House, One Story, the Millay Colony, the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Her debut novel, A History of Burning, was published in May 2023
Photograph and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:
Goodreads Profile. Janika Oza - Official Website. Instagram Profile
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