A History of Burning

(Hardback)

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Description

An immersive, kaleidoscopic debut for fans of Homegoing and Pachinko- one family's search for a better life through four continents, four generations and a century of change. One family's search for a better life- an immersive, kaleidoscopic debut for fans of Half of a Yellow Sun, Homegoing and Pachinko 'Vast and intricate, alight with love and contained fury, A History of Burning is a towering debut by a phenomenal writer. A book I want to press into readers' hands and discuss for hours' Megha Majumdar, author of A BURNING India, 1898. Pirbhai is thirteen when he steps into a dhow on the vague promise of work; his family is suffering and he will do anything to help. The boat takes him to labour for the British on the East Africa railway. He has no money, no voice, no power - and will make impossible choices in the name of survival. Sonal is fierce and loving, always willing to fight for what she believes in. When Pirbhai walks into her father's shop, weathered but not broken from his time on the railway, she knows he is part of her future. Together they set out for a new life in Uganda. So begins the story of their family. Parents, children and grandchildren will scatter across the world, fleeing the brutality of Idi Amin, forging new lives in London, marching for equality in 1990s Canada, searching for a safe mooring. But under everything lies a secret. And one day, a letter arrives that will fan its embers into a flame.

Reviews

In intimate domestic scenes and scenes of societies in turmoil, [Oza] displays a sure-handed ability to write at both small and large scale and to portray with deep sympathy the universal human desire to find "a little place to simply exist, freely, and with dignity." An ambitious family drama skilfully explores the bonds of kinship and the yearning for peace and security * Kirkus (starred review) *
[An] impressive debut * Publisher's Weekly *
This striking epic combines powerful characters of different generations, compelling storytelling, dramatic settings and conflicts, and thoughtful explorations of displacement and belonging, family ties, citizenship, loyalty, loss, and resilience * Booklist (starred review) *
A riveting testament to home, exile, survival, and inheritance -- Lisa Ko, author of THE LEAVERS
As transfixing as a flame -- Rachel Khong, author of GOODBYE, VITAMIN
A History of Burning is that rare epic that manages to retain both its sweep and its intimacy... This is a beautiful book, unflinching yet deeply engaged -- Omar El Akkad, author of AMERICAN WAR
[Oza's] writing reminds people that vulnerability and openness are the only ways we can save each other. A History of Burning is the art we need now -- Megan Giddings, author of LAKEWOOD
An astonishing debut -- Shyam Selvadurai, author of MANSIONS OF THE MOON
Intimate and epic... this book is a triumph -- Shruti Swamy, author of THE ARCHER
Ambitious in scope and dazzlingly executed, A History of Burning is a marvelous debut. A tour de force -- Sharon Bala, author of THE BOAT PEOPLE

Author Bio

Janika Oza is the winner of the 2022 O. Henry Prize for Short Fiction, and the 2020 Kenyon Review Short Fiction Award. Her stories and essays have appeared in publications including The Best Small Fictions- 2019 Anthology and Catapult. She lives in Toronto. Website- janikaoza.com Twitter- @JanikaOza Instagram- @o.janika